Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Saturday described the last few months of simmering tensions between Nepal and India as misunderstandings, and said his primary aim during his visit to India was to “clear the misunderstanding” between both countries. Oli said he wanted bilateral ties to return to how they were in 2014, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Nepal. Oli and Modi signed as many as 9 agreements, among which was a $250 million grant from India for rehabilitation in earthquake-hit areas of Nepal. Oli also met with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.
Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said Nepal’s prime minister had assured India that the crisis surrounding its new Constitution would be addressed. Nepal's newly instituted Constitution had led to a massive row between the two countries after its Madhesi community held protests that disrupted the movement of supplies to Nepal. India had repeatedly asked for Nepal to take up the concerns of the plainspeople, which put stress on bilateral ties. After talks with Oli, Modi said that the finalisation of the Constitution was a big achievement but that its success depended on dialogue and consensus. He also said India’s security is linked to the long-term stability of the Himalayan nation.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!