The unofficial blockade against Nepal continued in Birgunj-Raxaul border point, the major trade point between the two countries, on Sunday as well despite India’s assurance to ease restrictions.

A diplomatic source in Delhi claims that Birgunj customs remained shut due to “political reason” not due to the volatile situation in the bordering areas as India has been saying.

The strategy is clear: the Indian establishment is using restrictions on the major trade point to put pressure on the government of Nepal to set a deadline for amendment of the new constitution to address the grievances of the disgruntled forces.

More than 2,000 cargo trucks have been stuck in Raxaul for the past two weeks since the restrictions began. The Birgunj-Raxaul border point is the major customs that collects more than 50 percent customs revenue in Nepal. Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) remained silent about the border point though it had instructed its agencies on the ground to lift the blockade in the major border points of Kakadvitta, Biratnagar, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj and Kailali on Saturday.

The MEA told Nepali Embassy in New Delhi on Saturday evening of the refusal by transportation entrepreneurs to take goods into Nepal over security concerns due to the ongoing protests by Madhesi and Tharu communities in Birgunj area. The embassy conveyed the information to Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat in Kathmandu immediately.

However, the transportation resumed through Biratnagar-Jogbani border point from Sunday evening, following a five-point agreement between customs officials of the two countries. The agreement assures security to the Indian vehicles carrying goods, prioritising the supply of fuel and medicines, among others.  

“We are taking initiatives to resume the transportation of cargo trucks through Birgunj border point as well. The customs officials of Birgunj and Raxaul have been instructed to solve the problems through talks and resume the transportation even by mobilising security agency,” said Nepali Ambassador to India Deep Kumar Upadhyay.

The Raxaul customs has been asked to take a “wait and watch” approach suspecting that the constitution amendment process may not move forward, the source said, adding that the protesting Madhesi parties want a written commitment to address their concerns about border demarcation for provinces through a federal commission.