Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal Thapa has claimed that misunderstanding with India had been diminishing considerably.

The bilateral relations has suffered due to some minor understanding, Thapa said at an interaction organised by Reporter’s Club on the eve of the 67th Republic Day of India. But joint efforts by both sides in recent days have gone a long way to mend ties, Thapa said, adding that it is all but normal for close neighbours to experience ups and downs in relations sometime.

Insisting that misunderstanding should be cleared, Thapa said “the next stop should be economic development where we can learn much from India”.  Nepali Congress Vice-president Ram Chandra Poudel said Nepal’s relations with India is always cordial, urging the either side to move ahead by shunning transitional mindset. “We should consider that there can be love-hate relations between friends and neighbours; Nepal-India ties is unique in this sense. Political leadership should work together in a transparent manner to resolve dispute,” said Poudel.

Speaking at the programme, Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae said India supports steps taken by the government to resolve the ongoing Madhes crisis through dialogue.

He said the amendment in the constitution to address Morcha’s demands was a positive step towards resolving the Madhes agitation. He also expressed hope that other outstanding issues too will be resolved soon. Responding to a pointed question as to when the border obstructions will be over, Rae said, “You should ask this to Madhesi Morcha. I am not the right person to answer this question.”

Seeing an Indian hand on every domestic Nepali issue is not a new phenomenon, the Indian ambassador noted. “India was accused of supporting Nepali Congress in anti-Rana movement, later accused of supporting Maoists. And now, it is being accused of supporting Madhesi Morcha,” he said. But he reiterated that India desires to see stability in its neighbourhood as it makes economic strides.