Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Thursday morning telephoned his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and briefed the latter on political developments in Nepal.

Besides exchanging New Year’s greetings, the two prime ministers also discussed a wide range of issues, including ongoing restrictions on flow of good through Nepal-India border points. During the conversation, Modi emphasised the importance of finding a durable solution to political problems facing Nepal based on consensus or ‘sahmati’.

This is the third conversation between Oli and Modi since Oli became the prime minister on October 11.

The phone conversation on the eve of the New Year holds much significance at a time when Nepal-India relations are at an all-time low.

On previous occasions, Modi had called Oli—firstly, when Oli was elected the prime minister and then on November 3 after an Indian national died in police firing during a protest in Birgunj.

Oli had long been trying to reach out to Modi to end political and diplomatic standoff between the two countries.

But Modi’s office had not shown much interest, said sources, adding that Thursday’s phone call was made possible after a meeting between Oli and Indian Ambassador Ranjit Rae on Wednesday.

India had long been pressing for a broader political consensus on the constitution before its promulgation and had expressed dissatisfaction over some of the contents.

After the charter was promulgated on September 20, India said it had ‘noted’ the promulgation of the constitution, which was taken as a terse response from the southern neighbour with which Nepal has centuries-old ties.

As India called for broader consensus, particularly stressing on the term ‘sahmati’, protests continued in the plains, in which more than 50 people have died.

Obstructions at border points have resulted in acute shortage of essential commodities, medicines and fuel.

When Oli called Modi this morning, he was in his home district Jhapa to attend a programme. He spoke with Modi for about 20 minutes, during which Modi also invited Oli to visit India at a convenient time.

Modi’s invitation to Oli to visit India comes days after DPM and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal Thapa and Law Minister Agni Kharel wrapped up their China visit where they made necessary preparations for PM Oli’s visit to the northern neighbour.

PM Oli’s Press Adviser Pramod Dahal said that the conversation focused on unrest in Nepal-India border areas and difficulties in the supplies of goods to Nepal.

Dahal said Oli urged Modi to take initiatives to ease the supply of commodities through the Raxaul-Birgunj border. Modi reiterated that the restrictions were due to the protests on the Nepali side and his government had no role in halt of supplies.

Modi also said that flow of goods through border points except Birgunj-Raxaul was increasing and that he has instructed his Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj to airlift necessary medicines

to Nepal.