Nepal foreign minister: Oli’s India visit ‘fruitful’

Nepal on Friday said Prime Minister K.P. Oli’s recent visit to India was “fruitful” as it cleared the “misunderstanding” between the two neighbours caused by the turbulence after the promulgation of the new Constitution.

“The visit was historical, memorable and fruitful,” said deputy prime minister and minister for foreign affairs Kamal Thapa, who was among the members of Mr Oli’s delegation to India.

Speaking at an interaction programme organised by the Nepal-India Friendship Society here, Mr Thapa said, “The visit was successful in clearing the misunderstanding created between the two countries due to the blockade at the southern border.”

Madhesis, who are largely of Indian-origin, led a nearly six-month-long violent protest over better representation in the Parliament and the federal structure of the new Constitution that divides their ancestral homeland that claimed over 50 lives before being called off unexpectedly.

Earlier in February, the Madhesis announced the withdrawal of their protests, including the border blockade.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had termed the Nepalese Constitution as an important achievement during talks with his Nepalese counterpart, the Indian ambassador to Nepal, Ranjit Rae, pointed out.