India has welcomed a landmark deal between Nepal’s political parties that allows a third of former Maoist rebels to enter the country’s army and to give the rest cash to start a new life. 6,500 out of 19,000 Maoist rebels who had been demobilised and were living in camps for five years will be integrated with the army in non-combat roles. Others will receive a rehabilitation package of up to $1500 as start-up cash. New Delhi hopes that the deal will create the momentum to finalise the full peace agreement and pave the way for Nepal to move towards pluralism and inclusive multiparty democracy. The deal should put pressure on the government led by Baburam Bhattarai to get on with the drafting of a new Constitution. New Delhi has congratulated the people of Nepal for their commitment to a peaceful settlement of disputed issues.
The Maoists had been pressing for the induction of all former guerrillas in the Nepal Army. But other parties in the alliance had been raising objections. However, talks between the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists), the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (UML) have now produced the compromise deal. Maoist leader Prachanda has welcomed the accord. There is of course dissent. A Maoist faction led by Mohan Vaidya has said that the deal has been struck under imperialist pressure. Bhattarai was in New Delhi recently. South Bloc feels that the Nepal Prime Minister believes in strengthening India-Nepal ties especially in the power sector. India is likely to offer Nepal special concessions like a double-taxation avoidance treaty. A revision of the India-Nepal friendship treaty going back to 1950 is also on the cards.
