JHAPA, Jan 1: Government officials have said that a telephone conversation between Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Thursday has made them optimistic about "the ongoing supply crisis easing within the next one week".
Stating that the telephone conversation between the two heads of government was "positive", the Nepal side expressed confidence that the blockade at Nepal-India border checkpoints that have continued for the last three months is going to end soon.
Minister for Law and Justice Agni Kharel, who was with Oli during the telephone conversation, said the new turn of events made him optimistic about the ongoing crisis ending soon.
"The chances of ending the problem have increased following the telephone conversation between the two prime ministers," Kharel told reporters here in Damak. "Indications of an easing in the supply and ending the problems at the border points have been received."
According to Kharel, the 20-minute conversation focused mainly on the ongoing supply crisis.
Asked how many days it may take for supplies to ease, Kharel said, "the exact date can't be fixed but the difficult period shouldn't be prolonged even for a week."
The latest telephone conversation took place while Prime Minister Oli was in his home district of Jhapa.
Meanwhile, the office of the Prime Minister of India tweeted that Prime Minister Oli and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi held a conversation on the political developments in Nepal.
"PM @narendramodi emphasized the importance of finding a durable solution to political problems facing Nepal based on consensus or 'sahmati'," it said. "Prime Minister @narendramodi extended his good wishes to the friendly people of Nepal for the year 2016."
Oli attended around half a dozen functions held in these areas after the telephone conversation.
His aides observed that the prime minister, in his body language, was very excited following the conversation.
"The problems seen in the country will shortly be addressed," Oli said in an address later in the day.
According to Kharel, the telephone conversation was held with initiative from the Nepal side but under a mutual plan. It took place as both the Nepal and Indian sides wanted to end the inconvenient situation.
Sources said Modi has indicated help in easing the supplies once parliament in Nepal endorses the bill to amend the new constitution. The bill is under discussion in parliament. The agitating Madhesi parties, however, have termed it incomplete.
"Modi has suggested to the Nepal side to take the agitating side on board if possible while endorsing the amendment bill. But he wants to see parliament move ahead and endorse the bill even if the Madhesi parties keep protesting," said a government source.
A political leader privy to the development said the Indian side wants to get the amendment bill endorsed before easing the supplies so that they can show some progress to the international community before ending the blockade.
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