After prolonged misunderstanding between India and Nepal on the border over the Madhesi issue, the visit of Nepal’s Maoist Prime Minister, K.P Oli was most welcome to repair Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s damaged neighbourly relations. Oli has claimed that the visit has improved relations between the two countries. He added that as a result of fruitful discussions, all differences have been swept away and the focus now will be on the seven point deal to promote economic growth. Oli also took the opportunity to appeal to agitating Madhesi political parties to join the new government of Nepal. The Constitution of Nepal has been amended to suit all divergent interests in the country and it is now in force. The thrust should be on India’s cooperation in Nepal’s development which should be conducive to Kathmandu’s policy of maintaining equidistance with India and China.
The Madhesis represented by the protesting United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) are still intransigent and have set up a seven member secretariat to chalk out new strategies for the party. The UDMF has called Oli’s visit to India a ‘complete failure’ as he had gone to Delhi without an agenda. The UDMF’s demands have not yet been met and it has threatened to resume the border blockade. The border agitation has already caused the death of 50 people. The government of Nepal had alleged that the blockade had been hatched by the Indian government. India has vehemently denied the allegation but it cannot be denied that its supported Madhesis who are mostly of Indian origin. Oli’s visit should go a long way in repairing India- Nepal relations.