Nepali leader favours importing fuel from China

A senior Communist leader in Nepal today favoured import of fuel from China to cope with the crisis of petroleum products following disruption of supplies through border with India.
Communist leader and President of Nepal Workers and Peasants Party Narayan Man Bijukchhe said that in the past Nepal government was on verge of signing a deal to import fuel from China during the premiership of late Girija Prasad Koirala.
However, the agreement was not signed as the then Indian ambassador to Nepal had warned against it, he said, adding that now, is the time to revive the agreement and take initiatives to import fuel from China at the earliest.

"When Girija Prasad Koirala was Nepal's Prime Minister, Nepal and China had reached an understanding for China to supply petroleum products to Nepal for five years via Tatopani trade point situated in the east of Kathmandu," Bijukche said.
"However, the immediate warning from Indian ambassador jeopardised the agreement," he claimed.
"Now, is the time to revive the agreement and take initiatives to import fuel from China at the earliest," he said.

Bijukche made the remarks following his meeting with CPN-UML Chairman KP Oli, who is tipped to be the next prime minister.
Nepal is grappling with a fuel crisis due to the blockade of a key trade point with India by the Madhesi groups opposing the promulgation of the new Constitution.

Nepalese officials alleged that fuel crisis has worsened in the country as Indian customs and security officials are stalling cargo movement to Nepal and there had been a stoppage of petroleum supply to Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) by the Indian Oil Corporation.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, however, in New York yesterday, rejected as "totally false" allegations that it blockaded the trade checkpoint on the border with Nepal.
Madhesis are Indian-origin inhabitants of the Terai region bordering India who are opposed to splitting Nepal into seven provinces according to the new Constitution.
At least 40 people have died in over a month of clashes between police and protesters from the Madhesi and Tharu communities and ethnic minorities.