India disfavours integration of Maoists with Nepal Army

India is not keen to see the unification of the Nepals National Army and the Maoists as part of the ongoing peace process in the Himalayan nation, according to a report in the Nepalese media.

Kathmandu, Jan 2 : India is not keen to see the unification of the Nepal's National Army and the Maoists as part of the ongoing peace process in the Himalayan nation, according to a report in the Nepalese media.

According to a report that appeared in the Telegraph Nepal, India is neither in favour of Nepalese Maoists' elevation in political circles nor their cadres' integration with the army, since the ultras have been indoctrinated with anti-India sentiment.

The report also states that one of the reasons behind New Delhi's opposition to it could also be gauged from its long drawn policy of persuading the Himalayan nation to keep their army's strength small.

"...With the possible integration of the Maoists Militias with the National Army, the strength of the National Army will be enhanced numerically. This, in essence, is what India does not want in any pretext or the other. And that is also against India's age old doctrine outlined by none other than Jawahar Lal Nehru- India's first Prime Minister," the report states.

The report also says that Nepal's Army Chief, Rukmangad Katuwal during his weeklong visit to India had reportedly met the chief of India's Research and Analysis Wing, Ashok Chaturvedi.

"What the (Indian) leadership there told Katuwal verbatim is difficult to comprehend, but it is for sure that strong "NO" signal to the possible Nepal Army-Maoist Militia merger was whispered into Katuwal's ear," the report adds.

It states that the affect of this was seen with the Nepal Army refuting reports of the much publicised meeting between Maoist leaders and top officials of the army just after Katuwal's return to Kathmandu.

It states that India, which is facing Maoist threat from within, wants the 'downfall of Maoists in Nepal', as "now there are concrete proofs that the Nepal Maoists are indulged in aiding their Indian counterparts."

ANI