The military officials from both the countries are discussing the language of the minute, details of purchasing military hardware and software in immediate effect and in future, said an official privy to the meeting. Discussions are under way on the modality that should be adopted to resume the military supplies from India to Nepal, said another official privy to the meeting said. The NA purchases a majority of its military equipment, stores and weapons from India under the 60 and 40 ratio in which it pays 60 percent of the cost in cash while Indian side waves the remaining 40 percent as an aid.
The completion of integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants last year paved the way for NA to buy military stores and weapons from India. The 10th meeting of the consultative group in Bangalore, India, agreed to resume the supply of military equipment, stores and logistics needed for the NA.
Foreign Ministry’s Joint Secretary Amrit Rai, who looks after India and South Asia, is leading the 15-member Nepali delegation while his Indian counterpart is Abhay Thakur is leading a 13-member delegation, according a statement issued by the NA on Sunday. The meeting is expected to review the progress made after the last meeting and dwell on aspects of future cooperation, the statement said.
NA’s pending wish lists includes procurement of more than 26,000 weapons of various kinds, including several thousand Indian-made Insas rifles, more than 11 million rounds of ammunitions, bomb disposal equipment and explosives for training purpose. Also on the NA shopping list are the procurement of landmines, detonators, safety fuses and time pencils.
