Kathmandu, January 6

Nepali Congress Vice-president Ramchandra Paudel today met India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Home Minister Raj Nath Singh and urged them to help lift the protracted blockade at the Birgunj-Raxual crossing route.

According his personal secretary Chiranjibi Adhikari, Paudel apprised them that the constitution amendment process has moved ahead to adjust the concerns raised by agitating Madhesi forces.

He expressed concern about the ongoing sit-in by a small group of people at the No-Man’s Land, which has created short supply of essential goods across Nepal, creating a severe humanitarian crisis.

“This situation should not continue but end soon,” Paudel told the Indian ministers.

In response, Swaraj said the Indian side was aware of the situation Nepal is facing and hoped for an early resolution of the issues through dialogue based on the roadmap adopted by Nepal government.

Representatives of Nepali Embassy in New Delhi were not present during these meetings.

Paudel had flown to India on Monday to attend a function of Patanjali Yogpeeth in Hardwar, Uttarakhand, where he met Indian yoga guru Baba Ramdev.

Upon his return, he made a stopover at New Delhi yesterday.

While in New Delhi, he is expected to meet India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and leaders of Indian National Congress.

Though he has sought time from Prime Minister Narendra Modi through the Embassy of Nepal, it has not confirmed the meeting yet.