Nepal has said that it needed India's goodwill to make the ongoing peace process a success as the interim government prepares for the second round of talks with the Maoists to solve the decade-long insurgency plaguing the country.
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"We need government of India's goodwill to make the peace process successful and assistance from India for reconstruction work," Nepal Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Pradip Gyawali told PTI.
"Since the peaceful solution of the Maoists' problem will also be in the interest of India, it can help in different ways," Gyawali, who is also a member of the government's peace talk team with the Maoists, said.
The minister also said that the government and the rebels had agreed to ask the United Nations to monitor the ceasefire.
"Though we have not yet made a formal request to the United Nations, both parties to the conflict are positive about asking the UN to monitor the peace process," he said, adding that so far, both sides had held informal discussions regarding the matter.
The government and the Maoists had during their first round of talks on Friday announced a 25-point Code of Conduct to facilitate the peace process.
Gyawali, however, ruled out the possibility of any international mediation to hold the dialogue.
"There is no need for international mediation for talks but we need help from some experts to move ahead with the process," he said, adding, "We want greater participation of the international community in reconstruction and rehabilitation works."
Expressing optimism that the talks with the Maoists would be successful, he hoped that the next round of peace talks will be held within a week.
