Issuing a second press statement within 24 hours of the promulgation of new statute, Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reiterated that India is deeply concerned over the incidents of violence resulting in death and injury in the region of Nepal bordering India following the promulgation of new statute on Sunday.The statement said India had repeatedly cautioned the political leadership of Nepal to take urgent steps to defuse the tension in these regions. "This, if done, in a timely manner, could have avoided these serious development," read the statement issued on Monday.
Although all other countries have welcomed the promulgation of new statute in Nepal, India has refrained from welcoming it. The Indian statement on Sunday only 'noted' the promulgation of new statute.
In a clear indication that India may even stop supply of daily essentials to Nepal, the statement said Indian freight companies and transporters have voiced complaints about the difficulties they are facing in movement within Nepal and their security concerns due to prevailing unrest.
"The issues facing Nepal are political in nature and cannot be resolved through force. We still hope that initiatives will be taken by Nepal's political leadership to effectively and credibly address the causes of underlying the present state of confrontation," added the statement.
The statement of India comes after Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae flew to New Delhi to brief latest political situation in Nepal after the promulgation of new statute. UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal had a meeting with Ambassador Rae to convey message to India that political parties in Nepal are making sincere efforts to address the demands of the agitating parties.
The 'strong-worded' statement of India and top political leaders in Nepal venting ire against India's role in Nepal shows that the relations of Nepal and India have reached to its low after the promulgation of new statute.
Addressing mass gathering in Kathmandu on Monday, Maoist Chairman Dahal said that Nepal wants to be a good neighbor of India and stands ready to address India's interests and concerns. "We want to be friend. But we were never 'yes men' in the past, nor will we be in the future," he said while referring to continued Indian pressure on the content of new statute.
CPN-UML Chairman K P Sharma Oli said Nepal wants to keep friendly relations with all neighboring countries. "We cannot even think of doing anything detrimental to their interests," he said. He also said that Nepal wants to utilize natural resources available in the country together with the neighboring countries.
Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Sushil Koirala thanked immediate neighbors India and China and other friendly countries including international donor organizations for supporting Nepal's constitution making process.
Related story
Come with fixed agendas, govt will address your demands: PM Oli...
