By willing to open channels for negotiations with the Naxals, who have come out in clear support of the Maoists in Nepal, India appears to have given an opportunity to Islamabad to strengthen defence ties with Kathmandu.On a visit to Nepal as the outgoing SAARC Chairperson, Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has not wasted time extending a hand of friendship to Kathmandu. He displayed solidarity with Nepal on fighting terrorism, and offered a credit facility in the form of an export debt to Nepal for procuring defence equipment needed urgently by the Royal Nepal Army.Aziz expressed hope to increase the current $12 million trade between Nepal and Pakistan to $100 million. Clearly, an export debt on defence equipment will only aid this effort.While South Block officials do not see any immediate cause for concern, sources said the issue is expected to figure during Nepal King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah’s proposed visit to India on November 24-25. This will be just after Aziz makes his trip to India, again in the SAARC context.His visit will be followed by that of Nepal Army Chief General Pyar Jung Thapa on November 28. He is expected to urge India to expedite the supply of already agreed defence equipment and ammunition. Pakistan’s bid to expand defence cooperation with Nepal is bound to figure in his meetings here.Pakistan has earlier also offered Nepal defence purchases at subsidised rates. While some contacts were made by companies in Kathmandu, sources said there were not many takers in Nepal. But now in dire need of defence-related replenishments as well as new equipment to deal with the Maoists, the Nepal government has been sending out messages for assistance and Prime Minister Deuba had conveyed the same to India during his recent visit to New Delhi.At present, Insas rifles, 500 light machine guns, ammunition for 81-mm mortar, around 5,000 claymore mines, Bangalore torpedoes and around 10,000 detonators are some of the defence hardware that have apparently been sanctioned, with Nepal awaiting delivery.
