NEW DELHI: India on Tuesday announced a partial resumption of arms supplies to Nepal, citing the lifting of the emergency there on April 29, but a New York-based media watchdog wrote to King Gyanendra, almost simultaneously with New Delhi’s announcement that harsh press censorship was still on.

An Indian foreign ministry spokesman said: “With the lifting of the Emergency in Nepal on April 29, 2005 and the release of several political party leaders and activists, the Government of India has decided to release some of the supplies currently in the pipeline, including vehicles.”

The announcement followed a recent meeting between King Gyanendra and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Jakarta, when a decision was taken in principle to lift the arms embargo in place since the February 1 crackdown on democracy by the Palace.

“In keeping defence supplies to the Royal Nepal Army under review, the Government of India had conveyed to His Majesty’s Government of Nepal the need to lift emergency and media censorship and release all political party leaders and activists,” the Indian spokesman said.