India helps Nepal to fight Terror

[Guest guest]

India offers help to Nepal to fight insurgency

NDTV Correspondent

 

Monday, June 24, 2002 (New Delhi):

 

 

Reinforcing its support to multi-party democracy and constitutional

monarchy, India today offered all possible help to Nepal in

combating the challenge posed by Maoist insurgents.

 

Visiting Nepalese King Gyanendra was assured during his meetings

with the Indian leadership that New Delhi totally supported the

efforts being made by Nepal in fighting terrorism.

 

Indo-Nepal ties

 

King Gyanendra, who is on a five-day state visit, stressed the need

for India and Nepal to take their ties to "new levels and break free

of the mindset that may have coloured this relationship in the past".

 

"I come with good wishes of the people and Government of Nepal to

the people and Government of India and look forward to exchanging

views with several of your prominent and prestigious leaders," said

King Gyanendra.

 

Setting aside protocol, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee hosted

an exclusive private dinner for the King at his residence last

night, which was attended by former Prime Minister I K Gujral,

External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh, Information Minister Sushma

Swaraj and top officials.

 

The King, who is on his first visit abroad after his coronation in

June last year, held wide-ranging discussions with Vajpayee on the

entire gamut of bilateral relations.

 

He also held talks with Vice President Krishan Kant, Home Minister L

K Advani and External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh during which it

was conveyed that the Maoist insurgency being faced by the Himalayan

Kingdom posed a threat to the region.

 

Assistance package

 

NDTV has learnt that India is ready with a new military assistance

package to match help already provided like helicopters, small arms

and ammunition.

 

"What Nepal requires in terms of military assistance to deal with

Maoist violence, some has been provided, some is in the pipeline and

more is ready to arrive in Nepal," observed Major General (Retd)

Ashok Mehta, Defence Analyst.

 

Indian experts to train Nepalese army

 

India has agreed to open the doors of its prestigious Counter

Insurgency School in Mizoram to train more Nepalese army personnel

in anti-militancy operations.

 

Besides this, India might also despatch groups of counter-insurgency

experts to Nepal to train the Nepalese personnel on their soil.

(With PTI inputs)