Kathmandu, November 10

Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae today termed as ‘mere speculation’ the reports carried by Nepali media that ‘disruption of supply lines would end soon.

When asked about progress towards opening disrupted supply routes from the Indian side, Ambassador Rae said: “There are a lot of assumptions, speculations and rumours in media reports.”

Nepali media had yesterday reported there were positive indications received from the Indian side regarding clearing the blockade and easing supplies. Even Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Nepal’s Ambassador to India Deep Kumar Upadhayay and Ambassador Rae himself had reportedly shared this with the media.

Speaking at Reporter’s Club today, Rae reiterated New Delhi’s earlier position that disruption of supply would resume only after the issues raised by Madhesi parties were addressed. He claimed that their picketing at the Raxual-Birgunj crossing point was creating hurdles to forward freights.

The envoy said the Indian side was trying to send medicine and fuel through other crossing routes, which are in operation. He, however, claimed that only 30 per cent of goods could be supplied through these routes and this would not address the current problem of short supply across the nation.

He reiterated that Nepali stakeholders had to resolve the issues of Madhesi protesters — whether or not they were genuine — through peaceful dialogue.

The ambassador also said New Delhi had given initial indications about possible repercussions if the constitution was brought without taking everyone on board. “But these indication were not heard.”

Rae also expressed serious concern about growing anti-India sentiment in Nepal and cautioned that it does not help improve bilateral relations.

Terming the recent aberration in bilateral relations a temporary phenomenon, he hoped that Indo-Nepal ties would gain momentum once the current problems were resolved.

“When we were here to support during the earthquake, it was said “#GoBackIndianMedia”, now it’s being said “#BackOffIndia”, Ambassador Rae questioned: “How does such a trend help strengthen Nepal’s national independence?”

He also suggested reviewing openly the bilateral ties and starting a new dimension.

Regarding India’s unusual position on Nepal’s human rights condition at a recent meeting of UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Rae said “We presented our views about how we see the rights situation in Nepal.”

He asked all not to take it as departure of Indian policy towards Nepal. In its history, India had never raised question on Nepal’s rights record in any international forum.