'If it's imperative, then Nepal would of course buy arms,' Bhattarai said. 'However, the prime minister has said that it would be done only after political consensus.'

India had armed Nepal with its indigenously manufactured Insas group of firearms during the 10-year Maoist insurgency in Nepal to restore law and order as well as control the circulation of arms from other western sellers.

However, it stopped the sale, made at a 70 percent subsidy, in February 2005 to show its anger at King Gyanendra, who ignored New Delhi's advice to stage an army-backed coup and seize absolute power.

Bhandari's New Delhi visit has created a furore in Nepal with the Maoists, now the main opposition party after a brief stint in power, warning that any arms purchase would derail the peace process.

The UN also cautioned both the Nepal government and Maoists last week, saying any move by either to make fresh recruitment or replenish their arsenals would violate the peace agreement.