A Nepalese media report today claimed that a top Indian diplomat met Madhesi leaders and asked them to intensify Kathmandu-centric protests, a charge India dismissed as "yellow journalism" and a "mischievous effort to create controversies".
Indian Embassy's Deputy Chief of Mission Vinay Kumar met Madhesi leaders at a private institute in Saptari District in southeast Nepal last night and their talks were focused on Sanghiya Gathabandhan's (alliance of Madhesi and Janajati parties) Kathmandu-centric protests that it had announced earlier, Kantipur online reported citing sources.
"According to a leader privy to the development, the Indian officials advised the Madhesi leaders to focus on Capital-centric protests rather than district level protests as it is more likely to influence government to address the demands raised by Madhesi people," the report said.
"They reportedly urged the Madhesi leaders to ensure maximum participation in the Kathmandu-centric protest," it said.
The Indian Embassy here strongly denied that any political issues were discussed during the diplomat's visit to Saptari.
"Kantipur report on Deputy Chief of Mission's (DCM) visit to Saptari is a piece of Yellow Journalism. No political issues were discussed during his visit," the embassy tweeted.
"The focus of DCM in all meetings was Indian financed projects in Sapatari. The report is mischievous effort to create controversies. Kantipur's report may harm India-Nepal relations. Readers deserves better from mass media," it said.
The Kantipur report stated that the meeting with Kumar was attended by Madhesi Morcha's Saptari coordinator Gajendra Mandal, Rastriya Madhes Samajbadi Party's Deputy Chairman Sekhar Kumar Singh, Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum Nepal's central member Shailendra Prasad Sah, Tarai Madhes Sadbhawana Party's district Chairman Kapildev Yadav among others.
"If the protests are meant for your rights, continue it till you obtain them," a leader present in the meeting quoted Kumar as saying.
"Increase participation in Capital-centric protest; it will put pressure on the state to address your demands," the Indian diplomat was quoted as saying by the report.
The media report and India's denial comes amid a chill in bilateral ties.
Nepal had last week cancelled the visit of its President Bhidya Devi Bhandari to India and recalled its envoy to New Delhi Deep Kumar Upadhyay amidst reports that it suspected New Delhi of attempting to topple Prime Minister K P Oli's government. However, India had strongly denied the charge.
Over 50 people have lost their lives during the Madhesis' agitation. Madhesis had earlier enforced months-long blockade of Nepal's all trading points with India, creating huge shortage of essential commodities and souring Indo-Nepal ties.
Nepal had accused India of imposing an "economic blockade", which India strongly denied.
