The Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson has denied that bilateral issues between India and Nepal have been internationalised.

Responding to a question, MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup said in New Delhi on Thursday that India’s statement during the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in Geneva was part of an agreed international process. “There is no international dimension [to it],” said Swarup.

On Wednesday, India had raised the issue of truth and reconciliation during the UPR meeting in Geneva. The Indian representative had called for full and effective functioning of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, including the prosecution of those responsible for the

decade-long violent insurgency in Nepal.

On the question of blockade, the MEA spokesperson reiterated the Indian position that there has been no blockade from the Indian side.

“As far the issue of blockade is concerned, there is no blockade by India,” Swarup said. “The number of commercial cargo vehicles moving daily to Nepal is between 400 and 700.”

Swarup said that as of Wednesday 6,910 vehicles were awaiting entry at different border points. Out of which 4,800 were in Raxaul alone, the spokesperson said.

“We are still making every effort to send as many vehicles as possible to Nepal. But the main problem is the main trading point of Raxaul, which handles 70-80 percent of the commercial traffic, continues to be blocked.”

The sooner the Nepali leadership reaches out to the section of population protesting against the new constitution and makes some sort of accommodation, the earlier supplies from India could resume, he said. He blamed the border obstruction by the protesting Madhes-based parties on the crisis.

On the killing of an Indian national in Birgunj, the MEA spokesperson said that India’s embassy in Kathmandu has sought an investigation report from Nepal.