India's prime minister welcomed Nepalese King Gyanendra's move to return some of his absolute power to political parties and elected representatives.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh talked to reporters accompanying him on a trip to Germany, the Press Trust of India reported.
"There should be a government in place which exercises all the executive powers," he said. "The process has begun."
Nepal, wedged between India and China in the Himalayas, has endured a decade of violence from Maoist rebels and upheaval in its royal family. Gyanendra became king when the crown prince massacred his parents and other family members before killing himself. Gyanendra suspended constitutional government, saying he needed absolute power to fight the rebels.
Singh told reporters that India cannot afford a "failed state" in Nepal.
"We have to help Nepal deal with the difficulties they have got into," he said.
© Copyright 2006 by United Press International
