GROWING NEPAL-INDIA COOPERATION AGAINST MAOISTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 001408 SIPDIS LONDON FOR POL/RIEDEL E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/18/2012 TAGS: PREL PTER ASEC PGOV PHUM NP SUBJECT: GROWING NEPAL-INDIA COOPERATION AGAINST MAOISTS REF: A. KATHMANDU 1407 ¶B. KATHMANDU 1314 Classified By: Ambassador Michael E. Malinowski, Reasons 1.5(b),(d) ¶1. (C) Summary. The recent arrest of four Nepali Maoists in New Delhi and their immediate extradition to Nepal, confirmed by the Indian Embassy here, is one of many signs of growing Nepal-India cooperation on efforts against the Maoist insurgency in Nepal. The four were members of a Maoist-affiliated organization banned by the GOI as of July 1; their names were on a list provided by Nepal. The Indian Embassy has indicated that they wish to conclude an extradition treaty with Nepal at an early date. India has reportedly stepped up security along the border between the two countries, and, at Nepal's request, agreed to conduct joint border patrols. End Summary. Maoists Arrested as Nepal-India Cooperation Grows -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) The Indian Embassy confirmed on July 18 that four Maoists arrested by police in New Delhi had been handed over to Nepal. The four were arrested in the Indian capital July 11 and immediately passed to Uttar Pradesh police, who turned them over to their Nepalese counterparts at the border the same day, First Secretary V.V. Rao told us. This incident received substantial media play in Nepal's press, as have other recent actions suggestive of greater bilateral cooperation directed against Nepal's Maoist insurgents. The extradition of the four also won praise from Nepal's Foreign Ministry. Members of Group Recently Banned at Nepal's Request -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C) The four, all members of the Akhil Bharat Nepali Ekta Samaj (ABNES, or All-India Nepali Unity Society),a political front of Nepal's Maoist party, were arrested at a political meeting in New Delhi. One, Partha Chhetri, a.k.a. Ram Karki, reportedly played a leading role in the Maoists' public relations efforts. Another, Maheshwor Dahal, is reportedly the son of a Maoist leader named Iswori Dahal, a member of the Central Committee. Nepal's press has highlighted India's July 1 announcement of the ban of ABNES. The Indian Embassy confirmed that the organization was banned at the GON's request. India Acts on Nepal's Lists, Seeks Extradition Treaty -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) In arresting the four, India was acting on a list of Maoists provided by Nepal, Rao said. India would continue to act on information it receives from Nepal, and moreover would detain and deport any other Maoists who came to their attention. Rao added that the recent visit of Nepal's King Gyanendra to India (Ref B) had given new impetus to a long-standing effort to reach agreement on an extradition treaty between the two countries. India hoped a deal could be struck "as soon as possible," Rao stated, and the issue would likely be taken up during an expected visit to Nepal by new Indian External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha in the coming weeks. (Note: Nepal's Chief Secretary also has commented on preparations to conclude a Nepal-India extradition treaty. End Note.) Stay Order Came Too Late -------------- ¶5. (C) Asked about media reports relating that the High Court in Delhi had ordered the GOI to halt the extradition of the four, Rao explained that a stay order had been issued to prevent their repatriation but only after they had already been turned over to Nepal police. Because it was not a directive, the stay order would not apply to future cases of Nepalis arrested in India, Rao asserted. Border Patrols Stepped Up, Also at Nepal's Urging -------------- -------------- ¶6. (C) Responding to another recent request from Nepal, India has agreed to conduct joint border patrols, Rao maintained. Additionally, India has employed additional manpower to regulate movement across the Nepal-India border. The volume of movement across the open border made it difficult to monitor everyone, but India was working on modalities to step up monitoring. In addition to the police, customs and immigration officers who had always manned the borders, India had added "special security forces" to monitor the frontier, Rao concluded. Comment -------------- ¶7. (C) Increased cooperation between Nepal and India on counter-insurgency measures is a welcome sign, and recent Maoist statements (Ref A) indicate that the insurgents have already begun to feel the pinch. Post believes that India should be encouraged, whenever and wherever possible, to continue to make life difficult for the Maoists. The Indian Embassy to Nepal has welcomed our interest in their efforts to date. MALINOWSKI