India and Pakistan head for confrontation over supply of arms to Nepal

India and Pakistan are headed for a confrontation over the supply of arms to Nepal's King Gyanendra to fight the Maoist insurgency that led to him dismissing his government last month and assuming direct control.

After the February 1 royal coup, Nepal's principal arms supplier India had stopped all military aid until it restored democracy. But Pakistan has upset India by declaring that it would consider sending weapons to Nepal if asked.