With Maoists warning it against acquiring arms from India, Nepal government on Thursday said it is seeking only logistic support from New Delhi for its army and not “lethal” military hardware.
“We do not intend to seek any lethal military hardware from India, but only logistic support,” Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal was quoted as saying by his political adviser Raghu Pant.
However, Pant said that during a telephonic conversation between Maoist chief Prachanda and the Prime Minister on July 21, the matter regarding Defence Minister Vidya Bhandari request to India for arms supply did not figure.
Prachanda had telephoned Nepal to talk about the promotion of a senior government staff, Pant was quoted by the national daily Republica as saying.
Unified CPN-Maoist leaders had on Wednesday raised strong objection after media reported that the Defence Minister, before leaving for Delhi, said that she would seek military assistance from India for Nepal. According to the Maoists the move would be a detrimental for the fragile peace process.
India had suspended the lethal military supplies to Nepal when Gyanendra assumed absolute power in 2005. Earlier, India had been providing military assistance to Nepal on 30 per cent cash and 70 per cent grant basis.
{{/usCountry}}India had suspended the lethal military supplies to Nepal when Gyanendra assumed absolute power in 2005. Earlier, India had been providing military assistance to Nepal on 30 per cent cash and 70 per cent grant basis.
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