India wants Nepal to do a Bhutan

Sources said India had assured Nepal all possible assistance in terms of arms, ammunition, finances and training. ‘‘Officers and personnel of the Royal Nepal Army are undergoing training in Counter-Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School at Vairangte, Mizoram. The RNA 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 RNA with Rs 200 crore 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 RNA’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 (UP), Siliguri corridor and Purnea in Bihar. The matter also came up during the recent conference of state DGPs and Chief Secretaries,’’ said a senior official.