Lok Sabha Question No. 55 (STARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: Indo-Nepal Ties
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: SUSHMITA DEV, ASADUDDIN OWAISI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.55 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2015

## INDO-NEPAL TIES

- *55. KUMARI SUSHMITA DEV: SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the relationship  between  India  and  Nepal  has  come under strain recently after the adoption of the new Constitution in Nepal and if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the Government of Nepal has alleged that India has imposed  an  economic  blockade  on  the  country  and  the supplies  of  fuel  and  other  essential  commodities  from  the Indian side has been disrupted and if so, the facts thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  ensure cordial relationship between the two neighbours and to calm the escalating tension along the border;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the  further  steps  envisaged  to  foster  stronger  bilateral  ties with Nepal?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI SUSHMA SWARAJ)

- (a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the table of the House.

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## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF  THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 55 REGARDING 'INDO - NEPAL TIES' FOR ANSWER ON 02.12.2015

(a) Our  unique,  centuries-old  civilizational  ties  with  Nepal,  based  on  shared geography, history, culture, language and religion and characterized by close political relations,  wide-ranging  economic  cooperation  and  deep-rooted  people-to-people friendship,  have  been  rejuvenated  since  May  2014  with  sustained  interaction  at  the highest  political  level,  including  Hon'ble  Prime  Minister's  two  visits  to  Nepal  in 2014. On 11 October 2015, Hon'ble Prime Minister called Prime Minister Shri K.P. Oli following his election and conveyed his hearty congratulations. Hon'ble External Affairs Minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj met the then Foreign Minister Shri Mahendra Bahadur Pandey in New York on 30 September 2015. She hosted the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Shri Kamal Thapa on 18 October 2015.

(b) Disaffected sections of the Nepalese population have been causing obstructions at the India-Nepal border from the Nepalese side, in protest against the Constitution  promulgated  by  Nepal  on  20  September  2015.  There  is  no  hindrance from the Indian side. Government of India has facilitated supplies wherever possible. Several thousand trucks have remained stranded for weeks and have been waiting on the  Indian  side  of  the  border  crossings.  The  primary  crossing  of  Raxaul-Birgunj, which accounts for two-thirds of our trade, remains closed from their side for more than two months. However, every day several hundred cargo trucks have still been passing through those crossing points that are open and available. Despite constraints, Indian  Oil  Corporation  has  delivered  POL  supplies  to  the  extent  possible.  Several hundreds  of  medical  consignments,  including  by  truck,  were  cleared  through  the India-Nepal border in November 2015. We are also assisting in re-routing stranded POL tankers and vehicles carrying medical supplies through other available crossing points, as also airlift.

(c) & (d) India  has  always  stood  for  peace,  prosperity  and  progress  of  Nepal, which is  also  in  India's  interest.  Throughout  the  process  of  Constitution  making  in Nepal, India has supported a broad-based and inclusive Constitution. India has been consistently  advising  the  Government  of  Nepal  that  the  issues  facing  Nepal  are political in nature, which cannot be resolved through force.

(e) While continuing to advise and encourage all political parties to address the causes  underlying  the  present  state  of  confrontation  credibly  and  effectively,  India will continue to maintain close engagement and bilateral exchanges, as well as extend all  assistance  in  accordance  with  the  aspirations  of  the  people  of  Nepal,  for  peace, stability  and  socio-economic  development  of  the  country.  Government  of  India continues to facilitate supplies to the extent possible.

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