Modi telephones Oli on new year occasion, discusses border restrictions

Kathmandu December 31- Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli received phone call from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi  on Thursday morning. The two prime ministers discussed multiple issues including the ongoing restrictions on flow of goods from the border points.

PM Oli was taking part in a programme at Dharampur, Jhapa, when Modi rang him. The conversation took place for around 20 minutes.

Pramod Dahal press advisor of PM Oli said that the conversation was centered on the unrest at border areas and the difficulties in the supplies of goods and essentials from India to Nepal.

Dahal said Oli urged Indian PM to ease the supplies through the Raxaul-Birgunj border point. Modi reiterated that the restrictions were due to the protests on the Nepalese side and Indian government had no role to play in the halt of supplies. He also reminded of the fact that flow of goods through border points except Birgunj-Raxaul was increasing and had instructed his Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj to airlift necessary medicines to Nepal.

Modi also emphasised importance of finding a durable solution to Nepal's political problems through consensus among political parties.

The Indian PM also invited Oli for a visit to India. Modi's invitation comes days after DPM Kamal Thapa and Law Minister Agni Kharel wrapped up their China visit where they made necessary preparations for PM Oli’s visit to China. Earlier, Indian envoy Ranjit Rae had also reached Oli’s residence in Baluwatar and discussed about PM Oli's visit to India.

Oli responded by saying that he would visit India only after ease of supplies to Nepal.

The two PMs also exchanged greetings on the occasion of New Year 2016.

This is the third telephonic conversation between the Indian Prime Minister and Nepali counterpart in three months since the blockade. Source: TKP