Urging Nepal to address the causes of political unrest in its Terai region credibly and effectively, India on Thursday said New Delhi's interest was only in a "peaceful, united and stable Nepal".
"The causes underlying the present state of confrontation in Nepal need to be addressed credibly and effectively by the political parties and people of Nepal themselves," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said in the Rajya Sabha while responding to a calling attention motion -- sponsored by Janata Dal-United member Pawan Kumar Verma -- on the situation in the Himalayan nation and the state of bilateral relations.
"India's only interest is in a peaceful, united and stable Nepal and our approach is completely consistent with these objectives," she said.
According to Sushma Swaraj, the use of force on November 2 to forcibly remove protestors obstructing the Raxaul-Birganj route, and thereafter on November 22 against protestors in Saptari, further vitiated the atmosphere.
"An Indian citizen was also killed, and we have sought an investigation into his death," she said.
Sushma Swaraj clarified that there was no blockade of supplies to Nepal by India.
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"Obstructions are by the Nepalese population on the Nepalese side in which the government of India cannot interfere. There is no blockade by India of supplies going to Nepal," the minister asserted.
"There were incidents of violence resulting in death and injury in regions of Nepal bordering India following the promulgation of the Constitution (on September 20). Our freight companies and transporters also voiced complaints about difficulties of movement and security within Nepal," she said.
Sushma Swaraj also urged the house to consider the merits of a visit to Nepal by an all-party delegation.
"The government would be guided by the sentiments of the house," she said.
Sushma Swaraj said India has stood for a peaceful conclusion to Nepal's ongoing transition after decades of instability and violence.
"India will continue to encourage all sides to come to a solution sooner than later," she said.
The minister said the newly-adopted Constitution in Nepal was perceived by large sections of its population as non-inclusive and diluting their representation already available since 2007.
"Unrest in the Terai escalated sharply, causing over 55 deaths and injuries to hundreds since August," she said.
She said that with a 1,751-km-long open border with the five Indian states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim, India was directly affected by developments in Nepal's Terai region.
"India has always stood for a peaceful conclusion to Nepal's ongoing political transition after decades of instability and violence. At times, at the request of Nepali political parties, we have actively facilitated that process," she said.
"We have remained closely engaged with Nepal during its ongoing political transition and have consistently supported early promulgation of a broad-based, inclusive and durable constitution."
She also referred to her meeting with visiting Nepalese Deputy Prime Minister Kamal Thapa.
She said Thapa briefed her that there has been progress in the ongoing dialogue on the contentious issues with representatives of the agitating Madhesis.
She pointed out that though the then Nepal government, led by Nepali Congress leader Sushil Koirala, had approved two important constitutional amendments on constituency delimitation on the basis of population and inclusion for needy sections on October 2, "the new government has not yet moved forward on these amendments".
She said that despite constraints, Indian Oil Corporation has delivered supplies of petrol, oil and lubricants to Nepal, and more than 400 medical consignments were cleared through the India-Nepal border during November.
India was also assisting in re-routing stranded oil tankers and vehicles carrying medical supplies through other available crossing points, as also by air.