Nepal has introduced fuel rationing because of shortages it blames on neighboring India, which it accuses of imposing an unofficial “trade blockade” over its new constitution.India denies imposing a blockade, saying its truck drivers are concerned for their safety after protests inside the Himalayan nation.In a statement, Nepal’s Home Ministry said that an “odd-even system” had been introduced Sunday, meaning “vehicles with odd number plates can only operate on odd dates, and even number plates on even dates.” Ministry spokesman Laxmi Prasad Dhakal acknowledged that dozens of protesters had been injured in protests since the constitution was passed but denied there were major security concerns for the trucks to pass the checkpoints. The small Himalayan country is under fuel and other essential supplies blockade that mostly come from the Indian bordercausing immense difficulties for the government and the people. It was a clear message from New Delhi that Kathmandu will have to submit to the dictation of the big brother if it is to survive. But the Indian policy makers were wrong in their judgement, as Nepal’s three main political parties have stood up in unison not to bend to Indian pressure while the anti-India sentiments among the people are at peak. Highly perturbed by the unending Indian interference, Nepalese Ambassador in New Delhi gave a strongly worded interview on Sunday telling the big neighbour not to push Nepal to the wall by chokingessential supplies as that would compel it to turn to China and other sources despite logistical difficulties. He asserted that India should give a time frame of lifting the blockade, as Kathmandu cannot wait for an indefinite period. The Nepalese are very humble, non arrogant, cultured and self respecting people and the categorical message by the Ambassador in diplomatic language has a lot to convey to the Indian leadership. China has been helping Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and other countries in their difficult times by following the policy of good neighbourliness and we are certain that if a request was made by Kathmandu, Beijing, as per its policy and traditions, would come to the assistance of people in distress to alleviate their sufferings, as it did during the Nepalese earthquake. That would be a big jolt for Indian policy of dictating small neighbours and as repeatedly stressed by Pakistan, we would suggest that India should resolve issues on negotiating tables rather than intimidating sovereign countries and treating them as their colonies.
pk.shafaqna.com
