Nepal, India PMs wish for improved relationships

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Thursday morning held conversations with Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to exchange new year greetings.

According to Oli’s press advisor, Pramod Dahal, during the conversations, the two leaders talked about improving bilateral relationships, which have turned sour after promulgation of the Constitution in Nepal.
“Prime Minister Oli said he wanted to make the Nepal-India ties more harmonious,” Dahal said in the statement, “He drew the attention of the Indian Prime Minister toward irregular supply of goods along the Birgunj-Raxaul route and requested him to ease the system.”

In response, Modi reiterated that he was always for smooth inter-country supply of goods and India did not have any role in obstruction.

Modi claimed that all transit points except Birgunj-Raxaul were operating and the point was obstructed by political parties of Nepal itself.

Meanwhile, Modi re-extended his invitation to PM for an India visit while Oli accepted it, according to Dahal.

“Prime Minister Oli said he would India soon after easing the situation here.”

Oli had thanked the southern neighbour for its welcome to the Constitution Amendment Proposal, currently being discussed by the House.

The duo had talked for around 20 minutes.