India downplays Nepal PM's remarks

India today downplayed Nepal Prime Minister K P Oli's remarks linking his maiden visit to India with the "border blockade".
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup also justified a visit here by a group of Nepalese including Medheshis, saying India has always maintained contact across political spectrum in Nepal without taking sides.
"Our one and only desire is to see a peaceful, stable and prosperous Nepal and for Nepal to resolve its internal political differences at the earliest by engaging in a dialogue in a genuine spirit of flexibility and compromise," Swarup said.
His comments came barely days after India welcomed the two amendments dealing with representation of Madhesis in Nepali Parliament as "positive" and hoped that remaining outstanding issues will also be dealt with constructively.

Asked about Oli's remarks that it would not be appropriate to visit India until the "border blockade" ends, linking his maiden foreign trip next month to the normalisation of situation at the border, Swarup said India has not got any such statement officially from that country.
The government was informed about the acceptance of the invitation for a visit here by Oli and both sides are working on mutually convenient dates through diplomatic channels, Swarup added.
In an interaction with a select group of journalists at his office in Kathmandu, Oli had said, "It would not be appropriate for me to visit India unless the situation returns to normal," and alleged that India had imposed an "unofficial border blockade" which will be soon lifted.