India today said Nepal's "internal factors" were responsible for the blockade on the border and the only way to solve the impasse is through dialogue, a day after the Nepalese Cabinet formally requested New Delhi to ease supply of essential goods including fuel and medicines.
"As the problem of blockade was caused by the internal factors of Nepal, sooner the problem is resolved, faster will the supply resume," Indian envoy to Nepal Ranjit Rae said at an interaction organised at the Reporters' Club here.
Rae's remarks came a day after Nepal Government formally requested India to ease the supply of essential goods including medicines, cooking gas and petroleum products being imported from the country.
Some 300 trucks laden with medicines and thousands of fuel tankers have been stranded on the Indian side of the border in Raxaul, according to Nepalese officials.
Yesterday's cabinet meeting passed a special resolution to ask India for resumption of supplies.
However, Rae said that the embassy was not officially notified regarding the special resolution passed by the cabinet for easing the blockade.
He said that the people in the Terai region are also suffering from the blockade.
The blockade was created as the Madhesi community of Nepal felt they were not properly represented in the new Constitution, he said, adding the only way out of the present crisis is dialogue.
Asked when the blockade will be lifted, the Indian envoy said that the supplies will not ease until the Raxaul-Birgunj entry point is cleared.
The agitators are picketing on the Nepal-India border near Raxaul, from where 70 per cent of goods are transported to Nepal and this is causing the blockade, he said.
Rae said that India wants to see peace, stability and progress in Nepal as it is also in the interest of India.
He also expressed concern over spreading of anti-India sentiments on the pretext of the blockade of essential goods.
"The anti-India sentiment deliberately being spread by some elements, will neither serve the interest of Nepal nor that of India," he said.
"Talks are being held to resolve the issue and I am hopeful that days to come will be better than what we are facing today," said Rae.
