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Weapon Import Not on Agenda
By KTM Metro Reporter in Kathmandu
On July 28, 2009, addressing the parliament, Prime Minister Madhav Nepal has said that the import of arms from India is not on the agenda of the government. Recently, during her official visit to India, Defense Minister Bidhya Bhandari has said that Nepal and India have reached an arm deal provoking a widespread protest from the members of the United Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (UCPN-Maoist) and even from the UNMIN. The Prime Minister has refuted the claim of his Defense Minister for reaching an arm deal saying the visit of the Defense Minister to India is primarily for strengthening bilateral ties with India. He said the government is committed to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement the government has reached with the then CPN-Maoist barring any arms import until the peace process completes. The members of the UCPN-Maoist have been holding the legislature-parliament hostage stating the Defense Minister’s statement on reaching an arms deal with India needs the clarification. After the address of the Prime Minister, the parliament has been running smoothly.
On July 27, 2009, at the meeting held at the residence of Girija Prasad Koirala, in response to the attention drawn by Chairman of UCPN-Maoist Prachanda to the reported arms deal with India, NC President Girija Prasad Koirala assured Prachanda of not importing arms without an agreement with the parties.
