News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Home  » News » India to resume military aid to Nepal

India to resume military aid to Nepal

April 25, 2005 15:18 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
India will resume its military assistance to Nepal, suspended after King Gyanendra took over the reins of the country February 1.

India "will positively receive any request from Nepal," the state-run radio Radio Nepal quoted Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as saying after a meeting with King Gyanendra on the sidelines of the Asian-African Summit in Jakarta Saturday.

The issue of resumption of military aid to Nepal was raised by the king during the meeting, which was also attended by Indian Minister of External Affairs K. Natwar Singh.

Some reports quoted an Indian official as saying a consignment of arms to the Royal Nepalese Army will be delivered "very soon."

Nepal sneers at threat to cut arms aid

The king is quoted as telling the Indian prime minister that the emergency was needed to tackle the Maoist uprising in Nepal, and that democracy in the Himalayan kingdom will be restored "in due course."

"We have agreed on certain things and we have got assurances that they (military supplies) will continue," he said.

Analysts in New Delhi said the move was expected, given China and Pakistan's offer to sell arms to Nepal days after India suspended military assistance.

More news from Nepal

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
AGENCIES