Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae held talks with the agitating Madhesi leaders in a breakfast meeting on Monday and sought their views on the Nepal Cabinet’s decision aimed at addressing their demands.

The government on Sunday decided to form a high-level political mechanism to redraw the borders of federal provinces outlined by the newly adopted constitution. In its bid to end the prolonged Tarai crisis, the government has already tabled the Constitution Amendment Bill in Parliament.

According to a Madhesi Morcha leader, the ambassador asked the politicians for their take on the Nepal government’s decision.

Morcha leaders responded that though the Cabinet decision was one step forward in addressing their concerns, it required discussion in detail after they receive the proposal officially.

The Indian envoy termed the government move as positive and urged the leaders to lift their border obstruction while seeking a political solution through dialogue.

The Indian envoy suggested that their indefinite strike and blockage would not help in finding a way out of the current impasse, said Morcha leaders attending the meeting.

“We have not taken any official decision yet but the government’s move is one step forward,” said Sadbhawana Party Co-chairman Laxman Lal Karna.

After a meeting with the Morcha leaders, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal Thapa had a telephone conversation with his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj and informed her about the Cabinet decision.

Later in the day, Thapa invited the Morcha leaders to his office and handed over the Cabinet decision. Another key Madhesi leader said the four-point Cabinet decision was insufficient to break the deadlock.