Washington is considering suspending military aid to Nepal following on New Delhi and London’s actions, according to the State Department.

In a statement prepared for Assistant Secretary for South Asia Christina Rocca and delivered to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee by Principal Undersecretary Donald Camp, the Bush administration said the Feb. 1 dismissal of Nepal’s government by King Gyanendra was a “serious setback” for democracy and risks eroding Kathmandu’s ability to fight the Maoist insurgency.

The King has said that his recent actions are intended to strengthen Nepal’s multi-party democracy and to bring the Maoist insurgency to an end, Ambassador Rocca’s statement acknowledged, but “he needs to move quickly to reinstate and protect civil and human rights, release those detained under the state of emergency and begin a dialogue with the political parties intended to restore multi-party democratic institutions under a constitutional monarchy.”

Following on the King’s actions, India and the United Kingdom announced they are suspending assistance to Nepal’s armed forces, the State Department noted.

“We have the same step under consideration, but have not yet made a decision,” the Senate was told. “However, we have made it clear to the government that in the current political situation our security assistance is at risk.”

Washington has supported Nepal’s military through professional training, modern rifles and non-lethal equipment.

The overwhelming preponderance of the assistance the United States is providing to Nepal is, however, devoted to political and economic development.