New Delhi: Amid the continuing unrest in Nepal caused by anti-Constitution protests, India on Friday said it was political in nature and asked it to address the underlying causes “credibly and effectively”.
New Delhi also hoped the issues of differences would be resolved at the earliest.
“We have seen reports of obstructions at various entry-exit points at the India-Nepal border. The reported obstructions are due to unrest, protests and demonstrations on the Nepalese side, by sections of their population.
“We would reiterate that issues facing Nepal are political in nature. Nepalese leadership needs to address the causes underlying the present state of confrontation credibly and effectively. Issues of differences should be resolved and institutionalized with broad-based ownership and acceptance,” MEA Spokesperson said.
Nepal is witnessing violent protests by Madhesis, people of Indian origin living in the Terai area of the country on the foothills of the Himalayas, against the recently promulgated Constitution, which they claim discriminates against them.
More than 40 people have died in southern and western Nepal where Madhesi parties and Tharu ethnic groups have been protesting for more than a month over splitting the country into seven provinces.
The unrest has resulted in shortage of essential commodities like sugar, salt, food and cooking gas in several parts of the country.
Earlier this week, the ministry had issued a statement saying Indian freight forwarders and transporters had voiced complaints about the difficulties they are facing in movement within Nepal and their security fears due to the prevailing unrest.
India has been expressing its concerns over the continued violence in parts of Nepal bordering it.
“We are deeply concerned over the incidents of violence resulting in death and injury in regions of Nepal bordering India following the promulgation of Constitution…
“We had repeatedly cautioned the political leadership of Nepal to take urgent steps to defuse the tension in these regions. This, if done in a timely manner, could have avoided these serious developments,” MEA had said in a statement.
Nepalese Prime Minister Sushil Koirala has cancelled his visit to New York to attend the UN General Assembly session. He was to fly to New York on Wednesday evening with an 18-member delegation.