Nepal forms team to ease standoff with India over supplies

Nepal on Friday formed a three-member team headed by the Foreign Minister to ease a diplomatic standoff with India over the supply of essential goods, including petroleum products, hit due to blockade of trade points with India by people protesting the new Constitution.

“We will hold consultations within Nepal before beginning talks with Indian authorities soon,” Pandey told reporters.

The team will hold talks with Indian officials to end the ongoing standoff so as to ensure smooth supply of petroleum products, Liquid Petroleum Gas and other essential goods to landlocked Nepal.

While briefing the Kathmandu-based US and European envoys at his office on Thursday, Pandey is learnt to have sought their support to end the standoff saying that Nepal is facing a humanitarian crisis due to lack of essential supplies after the disruptions at the Indo-Nepal border checkpoints for last two weeks.

Nepal is facing <g data-gr-id="26">acute</g> shortage of petroleum products and other essential goods ahead of the Hindu festival Vijaya Dashami and Deepawali.

Nepal says India has imposed “an unofficial blockade” on landlocked Nepal in the pretext of agitation launched by Madhesi parties who were protesting against the new Constitution that demarcates the country into seven states.

More than 40 people have died in the agitations launched by the Madhesis - the Indian-origin inhabitants of Nepal’s Terai region bordering India - and Tharu ethnic groups in southern plains, hitting hard normal life. They are against splitting Nepal into seven provinces. The continued blockade of border trade points with India has halted the supply of essential goods from India.

India denies imposing <g data-gr-id="22">blockade</g>, saying truck drivers are concerned for their safety after protests in <g data-gr-id="23">country</g>.