Jakarta, April 23
India today agreed to resume military aid to Nepal to counter insurgency by Maoist rebels, ending its two-month tough posture against the Himalayan Kingdom in the wake of the imposition of emergency in February.

The decision was taken during a 40-minute meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Nepal King Gyanendra on the sidelines of the Asian-African Summit here.

It was their first meeting after the King sacked Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and imposed emergency in the Himalayan Kingdom on February 1. External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Singh was also present at the meeting.

“We have agreed on specific things... We have got assurances it (arms supply) will continue,’’ King Gyanendra told mediapersons at the Jakarta Convention Centre, where the unscheduled meeting between Dr Singh and the King took place after the former delivered his address to the plenary session of the Summit.

India, however, did not give any details of the outcome of the meeting.

External Affairs Secretary (East) Rajiv Sikri said it was agreed to resume political process and deal with Maoist insurgency.

“King Gyanendra assured that the political process in Nepal will be restored as early as possible,’’ Mr Sikri said.

Terming the meeting as ‘’frank and cordial,’’ Mr Sikri said both leaders emphasised the unique nature of Indo-Nepal relations.