India concerned over Nepal’s lack of political progress

To a question as to whether India was doing anything to allay the resentment and fears among the people of Kathmandu valley over stoppage of supplies, Swarup said the problem in Nepal was a political problem.

“Over forty five individuals died, principally civilians, and tons of injured”.

But today, India broke with that tradition to join the USA and a series of European nations in publicly asking Nepal to engage more deeply with protesting Madhesis to resolve its political crisis. India also said that Nepal was showing a distinct lack of political progress, The Indian Express reported.

India urged Nepal to “investigate and take credible measures to prevent their recurrence”. The Narendra Modi government has backed the Madhesis who say that the new Constitution has marginalised them in the way the country has been divided into eight federal provinces.

The Constitution, the first drawn up by elected representatives, was meant to cement peace and bolster Nepal’s transformation to a democratic republic after decades of political instability and a 10-year Maoist insurgency.

Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli has understandably criticised India’s action and has attributed it to New Delhi’s new-found animosity towards Kathmandu.

But it has also reached out to China in a manner more open than any instance since 1989, when Rajiv Gandhi’s government had imposed a blockade again Nepal after it began cosying up to Beijing.

In the editorial of forthcoming issue of party mouthpiece “People’s Democracy”, fromer CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat reiterated the Left outfit’s stand that the Centre’s alleged bullying tactics stem out of its projection of New Delhi as a big power in the region and set to strain ties with Nepal. The agitation close to the main trading point near Raxaul has halted supply of essential goods, causing acute shortage of fuel in Nepal.

“Let me once again categorically state that there is no blockade by India”, external affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said in a media briefing.

Reeling under the pressure, Nepal has warmed up to China to open border trade points for the much-needed supplies ahead of the festive season.

More significantly, the Nepali Oil Corp. and National United Oil Corp.

Nepal’s agreement with China effectively India’s historic status of Nepal’s sole fuel provider.