Only I was authorized to talk to Indian officials on supply issues: Minister Thapa

KATHMANDU, Oct 4: Minister for Commerce and Supplies Sunil Bahadur Thapa on Sunday clarified that he was the only official representative of the government authorized to talk about supplies issue with Indian government officials.

Leaders of three major parties - Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and UCPN (Maoist) - on September 25 had decided to send a special envoy to India to brief Indian leaders about the supply obstruction."No other person was sent to India to discuss the issue," he claimed.

Thapa was scheduled to attend South Asia Economic Conclave in New Delhi before obstructions in border began. He was also scheduled to meet India's Minister for Commerce Nirmala Sitharaman on the sidelines of the conclave even.

Minister Thapa met his Indian counterpart at her office on Wednesday.

"During the meeting, I apprised her of the situation in Nepal due to obstruction in border. I also told her that supply obstruction could affect bilateral relationship between the two countries," Thapa told Republica.

Minister Thapa also met with India's Minister for Foreign Affairs Sushma Swaraj.

"Both the leaders had expressed commitment to improve supplies," said Thapa.

Commenting on media reports about other Nepali envoy holding talks with Indian officials, Minister Thapa said: "There was no other envoy representing Nepal. I was the only person designated by the cabinet to discuss the issue with Indian officials."

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