Kathmandu, October 18

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal Thapa met with Indian Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj at Hyderabad House in New Delhi this afternoon.

During the meeting, they exchanged views on matters of mutual interest.

According to a press release issued by the Embassy of Nepal in India, both the leaders discussed easing the obstruction on movement of cargo vehicles to Nepal.

DPM Thapa requested the Government of India’s assistance in facilitating the movement of cargo traffic at the Nepal-India border points, stated the release.

DPM Thapa also held a meeting with the Minister of Home Affairs of India Rajnath Singh this afternoon.

Matters pertaining to bilateral relations and cooperation were discussed during the meeting, according to the release.

India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval called on DPM Thapa this evening.

Earlier today, Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar had called on Thapa.

The Nepalese Ambassador to India Deep Kumar Upadhyay told The Himalayan Times over phone that the Indian side told the Nepali side the obstruction on the border entry points was because of the ongoing agitation of the   protesting parties of Nepal on the border.

He said the Indian side was of the view that the obstruction at the border points by the protesting parties was the result of a political problem and it called for a political resolution through dialogue and negotiation.

Ambassador Upadhyay said today’s talks with the Indian side was more positive than the previous talks between the two countries and DPM Thapa was likely to meet the Indian PM tomorrow.

“I am not in a position to give you more details of the talks, but today’s negotiations were positive. We will probably issue a joint communique tomorrow,” Ambassador Upadhyay added.

The official Spokesperson for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Vikas Swarup tweeted “Working for peace, stability & reconciliation in Nepal. EAM @SushmaSwaraj meets Deputy PM & FM Kamal Thapa in Delhi.”

Indian Home Minister Singh later tweeted “India and Nepal have always been committed to work closely together to advance stability, peace and prosperity in the South Asian region.”