China hopes Nepal will restore its stability soon for the good of post-earthquake reconstruction and long-term development, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said. “We are concerned over the lack of political progress”.
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India has said efforts are being made to send maximum supplies to Nepal.
The “anti-India” sentiment has waxed and waned over the years and it is for Nepal Prime Minister K P Oli to put things in perspective and shape public opinion constructively.
“Under any pretext, disruption of supplies, disruption of transit is not acceptable”, Thapa, who held talks with the Indian leadership on “rerouting of trucks” a couple of weeks ago, said. It noted the “violence and instability” in parts of Nepal.
It said India’s “arrogant stance” amounted to “pointing a gun to the head and asking Nepal to accede to the Indian-backed Madhesi demand”.
The Indian government, on its part, maintains that its opposition to the new constitution is not to do with Nepal’s status as a Hindu nation, but linked to security concerns as Madhesis are protesting the new constitution in the Terai region of Nepal bordering India.
A few minority ethnic groups are unhappy with the new constitution, which creates a federal system they fear will see them under represented in parliament.
The criticism at a review of Nepal’s human rights record at the United Nations in Geneva came a day after Kathmandu asked United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon to intervene and press New Delhi over the border blockade.
In addition, the two countries agreed to mobilize joint teams to assess the feasibility of operating and supplying other border points between the two countries.
India said the “obstruction referred in the Minister’s statement is on Nepalese side caused by Nepalese protesters”.
Sources in the government said that International Olympic Committee fuel supplies to Nepal also has a strategic dimension in wake of growing influence of China there.
At a time when bilateral ties between Nepal and India have reached an all time low, the Himalayan nation has reached out to its northern neighbour China to trade in gasoline and for opening up more entry points and passes.
Nepal is facing trade hiccups with China after two major trading routes – Tatopani-Khasa and Rasuwagadhi – Kerung were damaged by the quake.
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Nepal’s agreement with China effectively India’s historic status of Nepal’s sole fuel provider.
