India's Views on Army Integration

India's Views on Army Integration 

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¶6. (C) On rehabilitation and integration of Maoist army 

combatants, Mehta saw the recent resumption of Army 

NEW DELHI 00001897  002 OF 002 

Integration Committee meetings as an indication that the 

Maoists might be ready for progress.  Mehta said that Nepal 

must find its own solution, but commented that "pro democracy 

forces" want the issue of army integration taken off the 

table.  Mehta asserted that the Nepalese Army and the Maoists 

have incompatible mindsets and that the financial burden of 

integration would be too heavy for the GON.  The Nepalese 

Army has already nearly doubled in size in the last five to 

seven years, increasing costs to levels unsustainable for the 

fragile economy.  The cadres would further bloat the army 

and, as a group composed mainly of young people who will not 

retire for years, will extend the burden far into the future. 

 Mehta proposed seeking alternatives by simply asking the 

cadres what they want.  He opined that many would be happy to 

return to civilian life, perhaps with a one-time payment. 

The first step is to give them choices that might reduce the 

problem, he suggested.  It is imperative to protect the 

integrity of the CPA (the constitution, elections, etc), but 

also to ensure that the chosen solution is sustainable. 

¶7. (C) COMMENT:  India's message to the Maoists is mostly in 

line with ours: political consensus is needed, and the 

Maoists must completely abandon violence in favor of peace 

and democratic principles.  India supports getting Maoists 

cadres out of the cantonments and back into civilian life, 

but given Mehta's comments, India may not actively support 

integration of the PLA.  India agrees that political 

consensus is needed, can work with any elected government, 

and is ready to help if asked.  While Mehta did not 

explicitly agree to deliver a coordinated message, he 

outlined the Indian position clearly, indicating that on most 

points, with the possible exception of PLA integration, our 

messages are in sync. END COMMENT. (From Wikileaks)