China delivers on old deal under new Nepal regime

Posted online: Wednesday, July 20, 2005 at 0101 hours IST

NEW DELHI, JULY 19: As the political process in Nepal gathers steam with the political parties putting up a united front, there are signs of Beijing trying to strengthen its engagement with Kathmandu.

While no military order has so far been placed with Beijing after King Gyanendra assumed power in February, China has recently supplied five armoured personnel carriers (APC) to Nepal. Earlier, Nepal had asked India for APCs.

This, sources say, was part of an old contract signed two years ago according to which China is to supply 14 wheeled APCs to Nepal. Seven of them were delivered last year while five more have been given now. The carriers, all painted white, have been kept at the UN Training School in Kathmandu. It’s learnt that this flows from an understanding to assist Nepalese forces going for UN peacekeeping assignments. These forces are trained at this school ahead of any such international commitment.

However, South Block officials felt this cannot be seen as an effort by China to broaden the scope of its military supplies to Nepal as no fresh orders have been placed after February 1. But there is a sense that China is inclined to engage Nepal on the issue of military supplies, given the difficulties it is facing with India, US and the UK.

While New Delhi has released some jeeps and other material to Nepal, the resumption of supplies is restricted to non-military aid. Kathmandu is more keen on immediate resumption of small arms ammunition supplies. It apparently faces an acute shortage of this ammunition and feels this is beginning to hamper the Royal Nepal Army’s efforts against the Maoists.

Washington too has been inclined to reassess resumption of complete military aid to Nepal but New Delhi feels Gyanendra has to first take more ‘‘credible’’ steps towards restoring democracy.

The Maoists, meanwhile, have indicated a willingness to hold talks with the political parties. Sphere: Related Content