Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that the Indian embargo has dashed his dream of developing Nepal into a vibrant nation.

Restriction on overland imports imposed by India and the protest of the Madhes-centric parties have paralysed the country’s economy that was already severely hit by the April 25 earthquake.

“Just when we were trying to overcome the pain dealt by the earthquake, we were hit by the embargo. It was a serious jolt,” Oli told a delegation of Nepal Academy at Baluwatar on Sunday. The delegation led by the Academy Chancellor, Ganga Prasad Uprety, was there to submit a memorandum, requesting that the annual fund of Rs 80 million received by the Academy should be increased to Rs 200 million.

After his election, Oli had made several commitments to steer the country towards the path of progress. But no sooner had Oli joined the

office than the Indian authorities imposed an unofficial blockade on Nepal, citing security concerns. At the same time the agitating alliance of several Madhesi parties had intensified its protest in several Tarai districts.

“I had several dreams for this nation, but it was shattered by the turn of events that unfolded soon after I joined the office,” Oli said, hinting at the blockade that sparked shortage of fuel, medicines and other essentials in Nepal. The severity of the situation has escalated to the point where Nepal now stands at the brink of a severe humanitarian crisis.

Nepal’s economic growth has witnessed a negative growth after 33 years— a result of the devastating earthquake, unrest in the Tarai, and the Indian embargo.

“The target set by Nepal to graduate from the least developed country to a developing country by 2022 seems an impossible task now,” Oli said.