BHAKTAPUR: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Ananda Prasad Pokharel on Saturday said that ongoing Madhes protest has been controlled from outside the country.

Speaking at a programme in Nagarkot of Bhaktapur today, Minister Pokharel said that the remote of the agitations is located outside the country, indicating to neighbouring India.

"Madhes-centric political parties are not agitating on themselves," he said, "But, their demands are guided from outside the country and its remote remains outside the country."

He said that the solution to the problems should be sought outside the country as well.

On a different context, saying that the Tribhuvan International Airport would be upgraded within one week, Minister Pokharel said that the country could not be self-reliant unless the air service was strengthened.

He added that the country could witness changes through tourism and that the government was working to formulate a national master plan for promotion of tourism sector in Nepal.