What do you think this action is good or bad? Is this wise decision when Nepal is not getting any kind of military help from India? Do you guys support or oppose it? Confrontation with India is good or bad when Nepal badly need support to fight with Maoist?
Friday, August 12, 2005
Front Page
Express Exclusive
To airlift ill Mansarovar pilgrim, Nepal said no to IAF, China yes
PRANAB DHAL SAMANTA
NEW DELHI, AUGUST 11 Jolting the belief here that resumption of military aid to Nepal had arrested the slide in New Delhi-Kathmandu ties, Nepal refused to let an IAF helicopter use its airspace this week to airlift a Kalilash Mansarovar pilgrim who had taken ill on the Chinese side.
What?s more, while a stunned New Delhi was weighing options, Beijing came to the rescue and allowed the Indian chopper to enter from the Chinese side.
The Royal Nepal Army (RNA) also ignored an India request to lend one of its choppers for the rescue mission if they had a problem letting the IAF use the kingdom?s airspace.
The RNA simply said that all its choppers were busy in operations against the Maoists. Sources said that the RNA instead advised India to hire a private helicopter from Kathmandu to make the long flight to North-West Nepal and rescue the woman who had taken ill.
The incident took place on August 6 when Madhavi, one of the pilgrims, took ill at Dolma Pass which is among the highest points on the trek route at an altitude of 19,200 feet. She was initially taken to Darchen and then to Taklakot in Tibet on the Chinese side.
While Madhavi received treatment there, it became clear next day that she would have to be evacuated at the earliest. On August 8, India sent in requests to
both Beijing and Kathmandu to allow an IAF chopper to enter from Uttaranchal and rescue the woman. The route through Nepal is considered the best approach.
But the RNA refused permission and this was endorsed by the government in Kathmandu. In the meantime, China gave its nod and the helicopter flew into Taklakot from a different direction. The approach was made from the Chinese side and did not involve crossing Nepal airspace.
Madhavi was safely evacuated to Bareilly on Wednesday and is currently undergoing treatment. Officials said military authorities are taking care of her and she is expected to recover soon.
But the entire episode has prompted South Block to think afresh about its approach towards Nepal. Sources did not rule out the possibility of India examining ways to apply pressure on Kathmandu given the kind of response it got on a purely humanitarian issue. They felt that this aspect will definitely be factored into future discussions with Nepal.
Nepal King Gyanendra, who seized absolute power on February 1 by dismissing the Deuba government, has been evasive on the issue of supporting India?s candidature for the UN Security Council. He is still to clarify whether the longstanding Nepalese support to the Indian quest stands now that he is at the helm of affairs.
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