Two senior Maoist leaders on Wednesday met Indian Ambassador Shiv Shanker Mukherjee in Kathmandu and discussed the current political situation and the peace process in Nepal.

• The Nepal Crisis

Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist's number two leader Baburam Bhattarai and chief rebel negotiator Krishna Bahadur Mahara met Mukherjee at the Indian embassy in Kathmandu.

The rebel leaders discussed with the Indian ambassador current political situation and issues relating to restoration of peace in the country, said Gopal Wagley, councilor press and information at the Indian embassy.

The issue of releasing Maoist leaders, including central members Mohan Vaidya and C P Gajurel from Indian jails also figured during the discussion, the local media reported.

There are at least 140 Maoist leaders and cadres currently serving jail terms in India, according to sources close to the Maoists.

This is the first time that any high-level Maoist leader met the Indian ambassador after the rebels declared ceasefire and came to open politics.

The Maoist leaders are currently in Kathmandu and busy meeting political party leaders, civil society members and various other people to discuss the current situation and the peace process.

Maoist chief Prachanda and Bhattarai have already met Nepali Congress (Democratic) president Sher Bahadur Deuba, Nepal Communist Party (UML) general secretary Madhav Kumar, Nepal Sadbhavana Party acting president Bharat Bimal Yadav and other top leaders of the ruling seven-party alliance.