Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae has expressed concern over “anti-India protests” and “whipping up of anti-India sentiments” in Nepal following the obstruction of supplies of goods and petroleum products at border and customs points on the Nepal-India border.

The dwindling supplies have led to inconceivable hardships in Nepal and long lines of motorcycles and four-wheelers now clog major roads in Kathmandu and other urban centres. A large number of industries have shut down because of the supply crunch and unrest in the Tarai. Nepal’s third-country trade has also been badly hit as a result.

Rae reiterated on Wednesday that the poor supply situation in Nepal was due to volatile security situation and ongoing protests in the Tarai. “I do not think that the problem will be resolved by burning India’s flag and effigy of leaders, including that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he told reporters at the Indian Embassy, in a bid to explain Indian position on the supply standoff.

The Madhesi Morcha has picketed major entry points on the Nepal-India border since early last week and New Delhi has put in place an undeclared embargo at several other transit points, citing security reasons. Thousands of Nepal-bound cargo and freight trucks remain stranded at the border.  

Rae said there was propaganda in some section of the media, social media and on the  streets in Nepal against India. Huge anti-Indian sentiments is whipped up in Nepal which is not a good sign for bilateral relations, he said.

“I do not understand the strategy and what action authorities were taking,” the Indian envoy said, hinting at remarks critical of New Delhi’s approach made by Nepal’s leaders and officials.

He was also critical about statements from Nepali leaders, blaming India for the poor supply situation in Nepal.

Ambassador Rae repeatedly tried to stress that the obstruction was on Nepali side due to the ongoing protests in the Tarai.

“I would like to clarify here that Nepal and India share a very strong relation at various levels and there have been ups and downs,” he said, urging leaders of Nepal to sort out their differences through dialogue and negotiations.   

He said he was “positive” about new developments in dialogue between the major parties and Madhesi parties. Rae said India has encouraged dialogue to resolve the differences on the new constitution and hoped that it would happen very soon. “We are in touch with all concerned political stakeholders in Nepal and I am happy to note that talks teams are meeting and some positive indications are coming out,” he said.

He categorically refuted reports that New Delhi was not happy with Nepal’s new constitution. “It is not true that India is unhappy with the constitution. India’s only concern is long-term peace and stability in Nepal,” Rae said.

He denied that India had offered a seven-point recommendation on Nepal’s new constitution, as was leaked in the Indian press. “India only wants full ownership of the constitution,” he said, “and unrest in the bordering regions is a concern for New Delhi.”