The Nepali agitators, who have enforced an economic blockade on the Nepal-India border, will arrive in Delhi to present their case to the Indian leadership during a short visit starting on Sunday. It will be the first time that the top leaders of the United Madhesi Democratic Front (UMDF) will visit New Delhi together since the beginning of the blockade more than three months ago.
Sources in Nepal told The Hindu that the visit by the UMDF delegation was necessitated by the “framework agreement” that was earlier agreed to between the Nepal government and UMDF to end the blockade which has triggered a humanitarian disaster especially for the impoverished sections of the Nepal society.
“The Nepali Deputy Prime Minister Kamal Thapa has discussed the ‘framework agreement’ with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. It is our turn to discuss the agreement with them and make our position clear to the Indian government so that we are fully informed of the discussions being held between the governments of Nepal and India,” said Mahant Thakur, chairman of Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party, who will head the delegation.
Apart from Mr. Thakur, the delegation will include Upendra Yadav of the Sanghiya Samajwadi Forum; Rajendra Mahato of the Sadbhavna Party; and Mahendra Yadav of the Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party. The importance of the UMDF delegation’s visit stems from the fact that this is the same group of leaders who have been discussing the solution package with the Nepal government led by Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli.
The delegation will also hold meetings with a cross section of Indian parliamentarians. The delegation members are also expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their visit.
The visit is also a sign that the government of Nepal and the Madhesi leaders are close to a declaration to end blockade. UMDF sources said the visit would give its leadership a chance to seek guarantees from India about securing a long-lasting solution to their demands..
