Speaking at an interaction program organized by the Reporters Club in the capital on Monday, Indian ambassador Rae repeated his old stance that India has always maintained the ongoing political disputes are Nepal's internal affair and should be resolved by the political parties through dialogue and negotiations.
He did not give any clear indication whether or not the blockade imposed along Nepal-India border would be lifted soon.
“All the parties should resolve the ongoing political crisis dialogues with flexibility of compromise. Otherwise, the crisis would invite unnecessary tensions, increase violence and it would even make it further difficult to resolve the crisis,” Rae said, adding that instability in Nepal will not only put the country in difficulties but also affect India.
Asked when the blockade would end, he said that he was not the right person to speak about the matter and that it would be better to ask the leaders of the Madhesi Morcha.
He, however, said that the recent political developments in Nepal were heading in a positive direction.
He said that India is dragged into controversy over every social and political change taking place in Nepal and this trend had harmed Nepal-India bilateral relations.
“But the initiatives to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries are moving in a positive direction,” he also said.
Similarly, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal Thapa said that Nepal-India relations had deteriorated for the last few months but they were now in course of improvement.
“Our collective initiatives from both the countries are gradually warming up the bilateral relations,” he said.
He said that strengthening ties with India is very crucial for Nepal as this country has entered the phase of development, following the promulgation of the new constitution.
Likewise, Nepali Congress Vice-President Ram Chandra Poudel urged the agitating Madhesi Morcha to call off their protests and seek solutions through dialogue. “If they still feel some of their demands are yet to be addressed even after the constitution amendment, we can sit for talks and resolve the issues.”
Similarly, former deputy prime minister and ex-foreign minister Sujata Koirala said it was really mysterious why the Madhesi Morcha was continuing with their protests even when the political parties had amended the new constitution to address their demands.
She said that the blockade imposed along the Nepal-India border had turned public opinion against India.
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