As India continued its freeze on defense supplies to Nepal, the royal government has started procuring military articles from other countries, including China and Pakistan, official Indian news agency, PTI, reported Sunday quoting Indian officials.
Late last year, Nepal purchased a substantial quantity of ammunition and grenades from China. As part of the purchase, a consignment of at least 18,000 grenades and 4,000 rounds of ammunition have already been delivered to the Royal Nepal Army, the news report said.
From Pakistan, the royal government purchased non-lethal military accessories recently, PTI quoted sources as saying.
Unconfirmed reports said Nepal has also procured defense equipment from
Israel, the news report said again quoting sources.
When contacted by Nepalnews on Monday, spokesman at the Defense Ministry Bhupendra Prasad Poudel said he did not have any information regarding reported purchase of arms from Pakistan or Israel.
Nepal has been traditionally dependent on India for its defense needs as it has been providing it in the form of aid. During the last few years before the royal coup, India has supplied military wares worth NRs 720 crores to Nepal.
Sources in the Indian Government said China and others were only selling the military ware to Nepal out of business considerations and were not giving aid as India has been doing all along till February 1 last year, the news report said.
India, US and UK – major arms suppliers to Nepal—have suspended their arms aid to Nepal since the royal takeover.
New Delhi believes that the King is using such tactics in an attempt to influence change in India’s approach, particularly on military supplies which were frozen last year, the news report claimed.