Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is set to arrive in New Delhi on Friday after four months of strained bilateral ties. Our Delhi correspondent Devendra Bhattarai talked to Nepali Ambassador to India Deep Kumar Upadhyay about the PM’s upcoming India visit. Some excerpts:

What is the agenda set for PM Oli’s Delhi visit?

We focus on strengthening bilateral ties. Mostly ‘follow-up’ discussions will be held on the issues of various agreements and understandings reached with India in the past. Talks are being held at various levels to put the past agreements into effect.

Why do we frequently miss something while striking a deal? Why was the provision of “compulsorily buying petroleum products from Indian Oil Corporation for 15 years’ was not cared about while signing the Raxaul-Amlekhgunj Pipeline Construction deal?

This is a trade agreement between Nepal Oil Corporation and the IOC. I have already voiced my dissatisfaction to the IOC over this mandatory provision. I raised questions about the clause signed with a country having trade freedom. Let’s hope it will be corrected. Discussion could be held on this matter during PM Oli’s forthcoming visit.

The blockade was lifted about a week ago. Has the strained bilateral relationship eased now?

The dimension of bilateral relations is hidden in economic prosperity and sustainable development of the Nepali people. Nepalis are still facing hardships with the shortage of petroleum products and medicines. It is crystal clear that Nepali people were pushed into hardship though India denied having imposed a blockade. But the existing problem cannot be solved just by talking against India from dawn to dusk. So we have started the process to bring the strained relations back on track.

Though Delhi has welcomed PM Oli, Nepali people still feel burdened by the blockade.

Yes. When people get petrol, diesel and cooking gas easily in the market, they will feel that things are back to normal. Then only will the Nepali people believe that Nepal-India relation has improved. Public life has yet to return to normal.

Was the blockade lifted for safe landing? It’s learnt the blockade was ended for PM Oli’s Delhi visit without addressing Madhes issues.

I don’t think so. The situation is getting better than before. India has realised our ‘sensitivities’. The blockade was lifted as the agitating Madhesi leaders also perceived the reality. A political taskforce should be formed to address the remaining issues. So I request all to assure the Nepali people that the problems seen on the Nepal-India border will not repeat.