Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has claimed that India would not impose another blockade on Nepal as bilateral ties had improved and reached a “new high” from the troubled time in 2015.

Informing Parliament on Sunday about the outcome of the two-day state visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who returned to New Delhi on Saturday, Oli said that relations with India, which were strained three years ago when New Delhi exercised coercive diplomacy voicing displeasure at Nepal’s constitution drafting process, had become “harmonious”.

“When I was the prime minister then, I was adamant not to visit India without the blockade being lifted first,” Oli recalled the situation before he visited New Delhi in 2016.

PM Oli said his Indian counterpart had agreed to implement the past accords between the two countries without further delay and in a time-bound manner. The two prime ministers are also reported to have explored ways to cut Nepal’s trade deficit with India. One of its components is having easy access for Nepali products such as ginger and cardamom to the Indian market.

The Indian side was also positive about Nepal’s demand for four new air routes. Oli said India has agreed to mobilise technicians to study the proposal and take a concrete decision by September. PM Oli stressed that

Nepal wants friendly relations with neighbouring and other countries based on mutual benefit, respect and friendship.

Oli also briefed the House on the outcome of Modi’s visit and understanding reached between the two countries on the basis of equality. Several bilateral agreements and pacts signed in the past remain unimplemented.

In his speech to both the Houses of Parliament, Oli said national interest was taken care of in the recent dealings with India. “It has also been mentioned clearly in Modi’s statement that India respects the

sovereignty and integrity of Nepal. Bilateral relations should be based on equality and support will be received as per Nepal’s priorities and needs.”

“I am confident that the visit will yield good results. Since we have entered a new era, we all must move on the course of stability, development and prosperity by assuming international policies and responsibilities,” Prime Minister Oli said quoted Modi as telling him. The Indian PM reportedly said that the visit had created an atmosphere for overcoming the misunderstandings and differences seen in bilateral ties in the past.

Stating that the proposed Kathmandu-Raxaul rail is linked with Nepal’s prosperity, the railway would be constructed within five years. Study for this would be conducted soon after forming a joint task force.