Published on 12:00 AM, November 26, 2014

India's car diplomacy at Saarc

India's car diplomacy at Saarc

Leaders of six countries at the Saarc Summit, currently on in Kathmandu, are using armoured, bulletproof cars sent to Nepal from India.
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif refused one. Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan and Afghanistan have no issues with India's bulletproof cars.
As for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, two fully armoured bulletproof cars were airlifted to the Nepalese capital for his exclusive use.
So, what are these bulletproof cars India was gracious enough to help neighbour Nepal with? A security expert, on condition of anonymity, said they are specially outfitted BMW limousines, spacious in the inside, and fully protected from the outside.
They can not only deflect bullets from an AK-47, but are also bombproof, their underbellies reinforced to withstand IED explosives planted on roads, and other terrain.
Its engine generates 450 horsepower, and its 4-wheel drive, which means it can race on any terrain at a fast clip.
But the BMW car India has chosen to outfit with armour is a Limousine, and these BMW limousines are outfitted, and retrofitted by Sandago, a Singapore-based company.