The Maoists may still have lot to prove back home, but diplomatically it has been a successful year for them. Under the Maoist led government, Nepal signed important trade related treaties with India and China. There was high profile visits on both sides. And now, six years after coming into mainstream politics, UCPN-M have been taken off the terror list by the US government.
US Assistant Secretary of the State Robert Blake, who wrapped up his two day visit to Nepal on Tuesday, informed at the press conference before departing, “The Maoists have handed over the weapons and the integration process had kicked off. There has been remarkable progress in the peace process and the commitment shown by the party towards peace and democracy has prompted the US government to take it off the terror list.”
Blake held meetings with several top leaders including Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, NC President Sushil Koirala and UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal, and informed them about his government’ decision and extended US support to Nepal’s ongoing peace process.