India, Nepal holds secretary level talks in Kathmandu
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
New Delhi, Feb 4, IRNA -- After the Bhutanese action against Indian separatists, New Delhi now wants Nepal to launch operations against Maoist insurgents in its territory, local press reported here on Wednesday. The issue came up at the two-day Home Secretary-level Indo-Nepal talks in Kathmandu that ended Tuesday. It was decided to share information and intelligence in the presence of Maoists in the respective countries. India had expressed concern on the Nepalese Maoists` links with Indian Left wing extremists including the People War Group, other Naxal groups and even with some fundamentalists. Sources said India had assured Nepal all possible assistance in terms of arms, ammunition, finances and training. "Officers and personnel of the Nepal Army are undergoing training in Counter-Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School at Vairangte, Northeastern Indian state of Mizoram. The Nepal Army is already in the process of being better equipped with an Apache helicopter from the US, and four Lancer attack choppers and a Mi 17 transport helicopter from India," a source said. India had also helped Nepal Army with Rs 2 billion worth arms and ammunition last year. "We are also providing them with technical know-how on building roads for faster movement of troops," sources added. In fact, Nepal had recently recruited 6,400 men, mainly to tackle anti-insurgency, taking the Nepalese Army`s strength to 70,000. New Delhi had been providing intelligence to Kathmandu on Maoists in India and expect them to reciprocate. "Maoists enter India through porous borders in the Terai region (Uttar Pradesh), Siliguri corridor and Purnea in Northern Indian state of Bihar. The matter also came up during the recent conference of state DGPs and Chief Secretaries," said a senior official. 2160/MM/212 End
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