Indian National Congress (INC) has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government for its ‘inept handling of Nepal-India relation’ in the last two years.

The official position of the Indian opposition party comes at a time when Modi-led government is celebrating its two-year’s achievement. The INC has said that ‘Nepal’s growing proximity to China and opening of the possible road and railway links is a matter of concern.’ 

During his visit to China, Prime Minister KP Oli signed a Trade and Transit Treaty and agreements related to railway connection between Nepal and China which seems to have worried INC. INC has not clearly spoken about the blockade and its major concern is that Modi government is ‘pushing Nepal to China.’ 

Regarding India’s position on Nepal’s constitution, INC has said that Modi government demonstrated ‘ineffectiveness in conveying genuine concerns to Nepal’s constitution.  Two days before the promulgation of constitution, Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar travelled to Kathmandu and urged the top political leaders to delay the constitution in order to address the concerns of Madhes-based parties.  INC leaders and lawmakers are saying that it was a belated move of the Modi government.

On the demands of Madhes-based parties on the demarcation of federal provinces, the Indian Congress has not spoken in concrete. “There was ineffectiveness in meaningful response to the Madhesi protest which resulted in hardship for the people of both countries,” according to official document published by INC on two years of Modi government.

Ajit Kumar, a member of BJP Nepal Cell, however, dismissed the charges of INC saying that Modi government is committed to make a cordial relation. “There were some problems in border due to the internal situation of Nepal.”

“Modi government does not want to interfere in internal affairs of Nepal,” said Kumar. He said Nepal’s development and cultural relations between two countries are the two pillars of Modi’s Nepal policy.  “Modi is ready to discuss on what should be done to make the relations between two countries cordial,” he said.

Experts and political leaders say there is a need for reviving the cordial relations between the two countries at the political level. According to them, both sides should introspect on their weaknesses to achieve better relations.  Indian foreign policy experts say though Modi made progress in maintaining relationship with western countries, China and other countries, its neighbourhood first policy didn’t properly materialised.