US lifts sanctions on Nepal Maoists, takes them off blacklist

Washington: US today lifted sanctions on Nepal's Maoists and removed it from the list of designated terrorist organisations, years after the rebels abandoned their armed struggle.Announcing this, the State Department in a statement said the US looks towards Maoists' continued engagement in a peaceful, democratic political dialogue in Nepal.[caption id="attachment_446794" align="alignleft" width="380"] Reuters.[/caption]"After a thorough review, the Department (of State) has determined that the CPN(M) is no longer engaged in terrorist activity that threatens the security of US nationals or US foreign policy," said the statement.Additionally, in recent years, the Maoist party has been elected as the head of Nepal's coalition government, has taken steps to dismantle its apparatus for the conduct of terrorist operations, and has demonstrated a credible commitment to pursuing the peace and reconciliation process in Nepal, it said."Today's delisting does not seek to overlook or forget the party's violent past, but rather looks ahead towards the party's continued engagement in a peaceful, democratic political dialogue in Nepal," said the department.PTI