India, Nepal discuss enhanced military cooperation

KATHMANDU: India and Nepal have discussed military cooperation including defence hardware and information sharing during a two-day security meet here.

The 11th meeting of Nepal-India Bilateral Consultative Group ( BCG) on Security Issues concluded in Kathmandu today.

During the meeting, both sides discussed the overall cooperation between Nepal and India in the areas of defence and security, according to a press release issued by the Foreign Ministry today.

"The meeting mainly focused on military training, defense hardware, and information sharing. The meeting also reviewed the progress made on the decision taken in 10th BCG meeting," the ministry said without giving details.

The meeting was held in a friendly and cordial atmosphere. The two sides also decided to convene the 12th meeting in India in 2015.

The Nepalese delegation was led by Amrit Bahadur Rai, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Government of Nepal.

The Indian delegation was led by Abhay Thakur, Joint Secretary (North), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.

The members of the delegation comprised high-ranking officials from both the governments and militaries.

At the group's meeting last year, the Nepal Army had requested India for an immediate supply of arms valued at NR 1.76 billion, media here had reported.

India resumed military supplies, constituting non-lethal support, to Nepal last year after the successful integration of former Maoist combatants into the Nepal Army.

Military supplies were restricted after former Nepal king Gyanendra Shah took over executive powers and restricted democratic and civil liberties in 2005.