India to resume arms supply to Nepal

India is all set to resume arms and ammunition supplies to Kathmandu as it sees Nepalese Army a stabilising force in support of the fledgling democracy and a bulwark against Left-Wing extremists

India is all set to resume arms and ammunition supplies to Kathmandu as it sees Nepalese Army a stabilising force in support of the fledgling democracy and a bulwark against Left-Wing extremists,particularly after the UN mission has left the Himalayan Kingdom on January 15.

Government sources said that last month Kathmandu requested New Delhi for urgent nominal lethal weapon supplies as the Nepalese Army was running out of assault rifle ammunition,training artillery ammunition and wanted more anti-mine vehicles to support its counter-insurgency operations. The request was communicated to the highest levels and a decision has been taken to accede to this nominal demand.

India has not supplied lethal weapons to Nepal since the UN Mission in Nepal began in 2007 with an aim to monitor management of arms and armed personnel of Nepal Army and the Maoists.

Even as political parties in Nepal are still to get their act together with consensus over a national government eluding them and Madhav Kumar Nepal functioning as caretaker Prime Minister since last year,Kathmandu wants New Delhi to help revive the ordnance factory at Sundarijal in the north to help bridge its ammunition shortfall. The unit at Sundarijal,north of Kathmandu in the Central Region,has been lying defunct for the past many years.

According to official sources,Kathmandu wants replacement for old INSAS 5.56 mm rifles,rifle ammunition,training ammunition for artillery guns and more mine sweeping vehicles. It is understood that negotiations between the anti-mine vehicle manufacturers and Nepalese Army have begun with the help of New Delhi and orders will be soon placed.

The Indian decision to resume supplies was taken after the Nepalese Army assured New Delhi that it had no political ambitions and would come out in support of the democratic mandate. With the Maoists still backed with armed cadres and the former monarch,Gyanendra,trying to fish in troubled waters,New Delhis best options are with a strengthened democratic society and strong Nepalese Army which will act as a deterrent to subversive forces. The other reason for this resumption is Beijings advances towards Kathmandu with offers of weapon supplies and training courses of officers in China.