India today proposed to send an all-party delegation to Nepal with which relations are at an all-time low even as it asserted that it had imposed no blockade and was in fact trying to re-route supplies via available routes and by air.
"India's only interest is in a peaceful, united and stable Nepal and our approach to the present crisis is completely consistent with these objectives," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said while making a statement in Rajya Sabha on "Situation in Nepal and the state of Indo-Nepal relations".
She said the present state of confrontation in Nepal needs to be addressed credibly and effectively by political parties and people there.
"There has been the broadest goodwill for Nepal in India and full political consensus on our policy.. In that tradition, I would urge the House to consider the merits of a visit to Nepal by an all-party delegation. The government will be guided by the sentiments of the House," she said.
Talking about disruptions in supplies from India to Nepal because of which the relations have hit an all-time low, Swaraj said "contrary to some canards on this issue, there is no blockade by India" and any obstructions caused are by the Nepalese people which is beyond the control of India.
She said India is assisting in re-routing stranded POL (Petrol, Oil and Lubricant) tankers and vehicles carrying medical supplies through other available corssing points, as also airlift.
"But, there are logistical constraints and the best remedy remains a political solution leading to the end of the agitation," she said.
Swaraj made the statement on a Calling Attention motion
moved by Pavan Varma (JD-U), who said the matter was serious and of concern to the country.
After members felt that less time was allotted to the debate, the Minister suggested that it should be converted into a short-duration discussion. The Chair agreed to it after taking into account the sense of the House.
Swaraj said India had given advice to Nepalese political leadership about tangible solutions to end the looming crisis. "Regrettably, these cautions passed unheeded," she said.
The External Affairs Minister said India has always stood for a peaceful conclusion to Nepal's on-going political transition after decades of instability and violence and has at the request of Nepali political parties actively facilitated that process for early promulgation of a broad-based, inclusive and durable Constitution.
She asserted that the Prime Minister's call for consensus and broad-based ownership, conveyed during his two visits to Nepal, in August and November 2014, was strongly and consistently conveyed by India, both before and after the draft Constitution was put out for public consultations from June to August 2015.
"Our advice was reiterated on several occasions...I personally re-emphasised our advice during my visit to Nepal in June 2015, and Prime Minister re-stated it during his telephone conversation with PM Sushil Koirala in August 2015.
"Our Ambassador in Kathmandu was also in regular touch with Nepali political parties in this matter. Therefore, any suggestion that our position lacked clarity or that there was lack of engagement simply has no basis," she said.
The Minister added that India's Foreign Secretary also travelled to Nepal on September 18 and 19 as Prime Minister's special envoy and advised Nepalese political leadership with tangible solutions to end the looming crisis.
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Moving the calling attention motion, Varma said India's relations with Nepal are in a crisis and the current phase of ties are "perhaps going through the worst phase".
"We are close to handing over Nepal to China, which is of concern," he said, adding that the rights of Madhesis have been throttled.
"The problem is a complex one," he said, adding that writing of a sustaining and inclusive Constitution in Nepal taking care of the rights of Madhesis was of great necessity for India-Nepal relations.
Maintaining that he had faith in the government and was speaking with a constructive approach, he questioned the role of diplomacy, asking "whether the Prime Minister has invested sufficient time in Nepal...It appears to be that the eyes of the Prime Minister was not on the ball".
Several members including Karan Singh (Cong), Sharad Yadav (JD-U) and Anand Sharma (Cong) suggested that since the issue was of utmost importance and needed more time, it be converted into a short-duration discussion.
Swaraj also agreed to the suggestion and requested the Chair if it could be done. "I agree with members that views cannot be expressed in 3 minutes. The issue is very serious. My suggestion is to change this motion into a short duration discussion," she said.
Agreeing to the suggestion, Kurien asked Varma to move another notice which will be put up before the Chairman.
Earlier, Naresh Agrawal (SP) raised the issue seeking postponement of the discussion saying the situation along the Nepal border was tense. This was objected to by K C Tyagi (JD-U) but supported by Anand Sharma, after which the issue was taken up.
Sharma also said the motion was listed in the business of the House and said "there should be a comprehensive discussion on the issue as it concerns our foreign policy," he said.
