The Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has not launched a tirade of abuses against India in over a year, instead he talks about softening bilateral relations through diplomacy. Dahal had launched a 'national sovereignty' campaign when Madhav Kumar Nepal was elected prime minister which went silent as soon as Jhalanath Khanal took office.

Following Khanal's resignation, the Maoists moved closer to New Delhi. Meanwhile, Ambassador Rakesh Sood, who had a strained relationship with the Maoists was replaced by Jayant Prasad. Since Prasad's arrival, both sides hae been toning down their rhetoric and no controversial statements have been made. Has India finally adopted a liberal stance on Nepal's Maoists?

Addressing the 66th UN General Assembly PM Baburam Bhattarai stated that Nepal wants to become a bridge between India and China. Dahal and Bhattarai had differences over the issue during the Palungtar plenum last year, but all that seems to have changed as the party establishment evidently has adopted a policy of extending friendship instead of annoying India.

Analysts say Dahal seems to have realised that it is impossible to become an influential leader riling neighbouring countries.