NEW DELHI, Dec 4: India has assured Nepal that it strongly denounced the ``groundless and misguided'' references in the Jain Commission interim report casting aspersions of ``a very serious'' nature on their majesties, the king and the queen of that country. ``Government regrets that such aspersions have been made and dissociates itself from the reports,'' the External Affairs Ministry spokesman said in response to queries.

He said ``India holds their majesties, the king and queen of Nepal in the highest esteem and deeply cherishes her traditional friendly relations with Nepal.''

Nepal is reported to have taken strong exception to the reports and a note verbale has been given to K V Rajan, the Indian ambassador in Kathmandu.

Meanwhile, Gen Dharmapal Barsingh Thapa, chief of the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA), will arrive in India tomorrow on a six-day visit. He is coming here at the invitation of the Indian Army chief.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.