NEW DELHI, Nov 1: As Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz began his visit to Kathmandu on Monday, the Indian media contingent there claimed it was deliberately kept away from his engagements there.

"Pakistani authorities in Nepal have barred the Indian media from a programme organized for Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz," proclaimed the Pioneer newspaper.

Representatives of the Indian media were told they would not be admitted to a function at Hotel Soaltee Oberoi where Mr Aziz was meeting nearly 600 people, including the Nepalese media.

The Indian contingent in Nepal is represented by the Press Trust of India, United News of India and India Abroad News Service. Correspondents of the Hindustan Times, Deccan Herald and Statesman, and state-run All India Radio and Doordarshan were also among those barred from the Aziz tour.

Special representative of the Nepal One TV channel headed by Indian media personality Nalini Singh was also barred. Ms Singh is the sister of former minister Arun Shourie.

The Pioneer said that the newly-opened Nepal chapter of the media body, South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA), said it was unable to intervene successfully on behalf of the Indian media.