Black flags welcome Nepalese Premier's homecoming from India

Oct 23, 2011, 15:34 GMT

Kathmandu - An investment treaty signed between India and Nepal - and the Nepalese prime minister who signed it - received a chilly reception upon returning to Kathmandu Sunday.

Members of Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai's Unified Maoist party greeted him with black flags, saying the deal invited Indian interference in Nepal and demanded he step down.

It was yet another sign of stress in efforts to integrate and rehabilitate former Maoist rebels ahead of a November 30 deadline for framing a constitution. The protests Sunday were organized by a hardline faction of the Unified Maoists.

During his visit, Bhattarai also signed 250-million-dollar credit line for infrastructure projects in Nepal.

Speaking to the press at the airport, Bhattarai said the treaty was a milestone in India-Nepal relations and requested that his intentions not be doubted.

'The visit was focused on clearing existing misunderstandings and forging confidence and cooperation between the two countries,' said Bhattarai upon his return.

India is fighting a Maoist insurgency and has been cool towards the Nepalese Maoists, who have close ties to China. The Maoists have in turn resented the huge political influence India has historically exerted over its northern neighbour.

The decade-long war between Maoist rebels and the Nepalese government ended in 2006 with a peace agreement that saw the Maoists join mainstream politics.