Karl Marx's Camel
23rd February 2005, 16:25
India says military aid to Nepal suspended since king's power grab
KATHMANDU (AFP) - India has suspended military aid to Nepal since King Gyanendra seized power at the start of this month, the Indian embassy said.
"In view of current disturbed situation in Nepal it is a fact that no military supplies have been delivered since February 1, 2005," said embassy spokesman Sanjay Verma.
"The issue of military supply is under constant review of the Indian government by taking into account the evolving situation in Nepal," Verma said on Tuesday.
In New Delhi, foreign ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna confirmed the decision -- noting that India has asked the king to restore democracy and civil rights suspended after the takeover.
The Indian ambassador to Nepal, Shiv Shanker Mukherjee, returned to the Himalayan country on Sunday after a week-long visit to New Delhi.
He was recalled by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for consultations on India's response to Gyanendra's takeover in the face of a Maoist rebellion that has killed more than 11,000 people since 1996.
India supplied Nepal with 4.8 billion rupees (68 million dollars) worth of military equipment such as helicopters, guns and artillery in the five years ending March 2005, according to an Indian embassy source.
India is concerned that Maoist violence in Nepal could spill over into Indian states where radical leftist groups are powerful.
The United States and European Union (news - web sites) also recalled their ambassadors from Nepal last week and called for Gyanendra to restore democratic rule.
The US State Department and British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw have warned they may withdraw military aid if the king refuses to restore democracy.
Nepal, one of the 10 poorest countries in the world, relies on humanitarian and military aid in its uphill battle to supress the Maoist insurgency.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/a...ia_050222130017 (http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050222/wl_sthasia_afp/nepalpoliticsindia_050222130017)
KATHMANDU (AFP) - India has suspended military aid to Nepal since King Gyanendra seized power at the start of this month, the Indian embassy said.
"In view of current disturbed situation in Nepal it is a fact that no military supplies have been delivered since February 1, 2005," said embassy spokesman Sanjay Verma.
"The issue of military supply is under constant review of the Indian government by taking into account the evolving situation in Nepal," Verma said on Tuesday.
In New Delhi, foreign ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna confirmed the decision -- noting that India has asked the king to restore democracy and civil rights suspended after the takeover.
The Indian ambassador to Nepal, Shiv Shanker Mukherjee, returned to the Himalayan country on Sunday after a week-long visit to New Delhi.
He was recalled by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for consultations on India's response to Gyanendra's takeover in the face of a Maoist rebellion that has killed more than 11,000 people since 1996.
India supplied Nepal with 4.8 billion rupees (68 million dollars) worth of military equipment such as helicopters, guns and artillery in the five years ending March 2005, according to an Indian embassy source.
India is concerned that Maoist violence in Nepal could spill over into Indian states where radical leftist groups are powerful.
The United States and European Union (news - web sites) also recalled their ambassadors from Nepal last week and called for Gyanendra to restore democratic rule.
The US State Department and British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw have warned they may withdraw military aid if the king refuses to restore democracy.
Nepal, one of the 10 poorest countries in the world, relies on humanitarian and military aid in its uphill battle to supress the Maoist insurgency.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/a...ia_050222130017 (http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050222/wl_sthasia_afp/nepalpoliticsindia_050222130017)