India says no, China sends arms to Nepal

With an Indian embargo on arms supply in place, King Gyanendra’s government has begun turning to China for weapons. At least 18 trucks ...

With an Indian embargo on arms supply in place, King Gyanendra’s government has begun turning to China for weapons. At least 18 trucks of unspecified arms and ammunition from China arrived in Nepal this week.

Eyewitness accounts said a huge force of the Royal Nepal Army escorted 18 trucks—12 were spotted on Tuesday and another six on Wednesday—as they entered the kingdom via the Kodari Highway, the only road-link with China. RNA Brig Gen Deepak Gurung declined comment, neither confirming nor denying the reports.

The King’s government has made it clear to India—it has been the RNA’s traditional supplier—that Nepal will turn to other countries for weapons if the arms embargo, enforced after the King’s takeover, is not lifted.

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The arrival of Chinese arms means that Beijing has ignored moves by US, EU and India to bring pressure on the King by choking arms supplies. These countries have taken the stand that the weapons may be used against pro-democracy forces.

Procurement of arms from China by Nepal in the mid-80s had infuriated India which retaliated with an 18-month blockade that had fuelled anti-King sentiments, translating into a people’s movement for democracy in 1990.

The Chinese decision to supply arms to Nepal follows a series of high level visits by officials to Beijing.

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