Earlier, Madhesi people continued to block supply of essential supplies in Raxaul along the Indo-Nepal border in protest against the new Nepal Constitution.

The Indian public’s reaction to the detailed and generally progressive and pluralist Constitution of Nepal, which has just been passed after seven years of discussion, is shocking. Nepal is now to be divided into seven states with boundaries that cut often across ethnic groups, angering many. Noting the promulgation of the new Constitution in Nepal, the External Affairs Ministry said India extends best wishes to the people of the country. Nepal has been trying to successfully write and implement a constitution since the fall of the monarchy in 2008, but had failed to do so until now, having missed multiple deadlines. The Nepalese economy relies heavily on India and the bilateral trade between the two countries counts for more than half of Nepal’s total trade.

In the prevailing anti-India mood, even the status of women has been subverted in the new Constitution. India can, and has leaned on Nepal to try to find a solution.

Critics said India’s response was too strong, triggering a backlash in Nepal. “If protests are peaceful, then demands can be addressed and met. But when there is violence, challenge of law and order, attacks on government buildings, what can the state do?” asked Upadhyay.

The protest came after Madhesi groups chose to ratchet up their ongoing agitation against the new Constitution.

In retrospect, India did err in not welcoming the new constitution.

With hundreds of trucks carrying cargo from India to Nepal stranded at the border, a section of politicians and media in Kathmandu accused India of resorting to an “economic blockade” to arm-twist the smaller neighbour to amend its new constitution, which was promulgated last Sunday.

But due to Nepal’s dysfunctional political system and the partisan interests of political elites in Kathmandu, the constitutional project is far behind this visionary framework and has missed all suggested deadlines. As the drama unfolds, much damage to the Kathmandu-New Delhi relations has been done. Upadhyay said, “The government of India is not directly involved in this, it’s a purely internal issue of Nepal”. The Indian Ambassador has unhampered access to the highest offices in Nepal and is seen as perhaps the most important political mover and shaker.

The Indian envoy said the government’s deputing Forest Minister Mahesh Acharya, a close confidant of Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, for talks with the agitating Madhes-based parties was a welcome step, aides close to Oli and Nepal told IANS.