'Maoists to develop new ties with India'

With Maoists all set to form the next government, Prachanda assures that his govt will maintain "equal distance both with India and China in political terms".

With Maoists all set to form the next government in Nepal, their leader Prachanda on Sunday said he will develop a "new relation" with India.

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"We have very historical and cultural relations with India. It is quite important to have a very good neighbourly relation with India," Prachanda told a channel. "I hope we will develop on that basis a new relation with the Indian leadership," the 54-year-old Maoist leader said.

He said the new government will maintain "equal distance both with India and China in political terms".

Asked about the US still considering Maoists as terrorists, Prachanda said "yesterday I had a very serious discussion with former President Jimmy Carter, and I raised this question".

"It seems ridiculous to me," he said highlighting their effort in bringing democracy in the Himalayan country.