Nepal President cancels maiden foreign trip to India

KATHMANDU/NEW DELHI: Nepal's first woman President Bidhya Devi Bhandari has cancelled her visit to India, which would have been her first foreign trip after assuming office, in the wake of the political instability in her country.

Bhandari was scheduled to visit from May 9 as the state guest at the invitation of President Pranab Mukherjee. She was also scheduled to participate in a 'Shahi Snan' in Ujjain's Simhastha Kumbh on May 14.

Government sources in New Delhi said, "We have learnt that Nepali President Bidyadevi Bhandari's official visit to India has been postponed by the Nepali side. We understand that this is on account of the political developments in Nepal."

Earlier this week, UCPN-Maoist led by Prachanda triggered political instability by declaring the end of the coalition with the ruling CPN-UML.

The Maoists and the opposition Nepali Congress have accused Prime Minister K P Oli for failing to implement the new Constitution, address problems related to Madhesis, expedite the post-quake reconstruction work, failing to check soaring prices and promoting black marketing and corruption.

However, Oli yesterday survived a threat to his government after a U-turn by Prachanda-led Maoists who decided not to withdraw support to him "for the time being".