Kathmandu, January 28

India’s Ministry of External Affairs today said it was unaware of Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s condition that he would embark on New Delhi visit only after the Tarai blockade is lifted.

During a regular press briefing in New Delhi, when MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup was asked about PM Oli’s public remark that he would not visit India until the blockade of Nepal-India main supply route was lifted, he said, “We have not been officially informed about this.”

He further said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had invited his Nepali counterpart to visit India after he was elected Nepal’s prime minister in October. “The Nepali side recently communicated that Nepal’s PM will visit India.

The date of the visit is being worked out through diplomatic channels,” added Swarup.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa had said PM Oli would be in India on an official visit most likely in the third week of February.

However, Prime Minister Oli has time and again said he would not visit India until the blockade is lifted and regular supplies are resumed.

He reiterated the same when he met senior journalists and editors at his residence on Tuesday.

Swarup said India welcomed the amendment to constitution of Nepal and hoped other ‘remaining issues’ would also be resolved with the stakeholders showing flexibility.