Situation on India-Nepal border returning to normal after formation of new govt headed by Sushila Karki

President Ramchandra Paudel on Friday administered the oath of office of secrecy to newly appointed Prime Minister Sushila Karki at a ceremony at Sheetal Niwas (Image: X/@thekathmadupost)

The India-Nepal border at Rupaidiha is showing signs of returning to normal after days of disruption, following the formation of a new government in Nepal.

Passenger vehicles, motorcycles, pedestrians and heavy cargo trucks all resumed crossing on Saturday, bringing relief to both citizens and traders who had been stuck on either side.

Sudhir Sharma, officer-in-charge of the Land Port Authority of India, said the easing of restrictions had brought visible relief among the transport community. “The faces of drivers and assistants of cargo trucks, lorries, tankers, and containers, who had been stranded for five days, were happy. All of them were dispatched to Nepal on Saturday, and all cargo vehicles that were stuck in Nepalganj have returned to our country,” he has been quoted by PTI.

According to him, more than 500 loaded trucks carrying diesel, petrol, gas, and food items were dispatched to Nepal from the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Rupaidiha. In addition, hundreds of empty vehicles that had delivered their goods also returned to India.

“The Rupaidiha-Nepalgunj border is now clear of stranded vehicles,” Sharma confirmed, adding that the movement of cargo was now back on track after nearly a week of bottlenecks.

Commandant of the 42nd Battalion of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Ganga Singh Udawat, also confirmed that the change in Nepal’s political situation had eased conditions at the frontier. “With the formation of the new government in Nepal, conditions have started to become normal. Therefore, we did not stop anyone today, although we allowed people to enter the country only after ensuring their identity,” he said. He stressed that despite the resumption of traffic, border outposts were maintaining close vigilance on both people and vehicles crossing the check posts.

On Saturday, the flow of ordinary citizens remained relatively subdued. Against the usual figure of nearly 50,000 people crossing daily, only about 20,000 were recorded. Among them was a group of 20 Indian pilgrims making their way towards Kailash Mansarovar, who crossed into Nepal from Rupaidiha without incident.

Sharma also highlighted the wider importance of the border crossing for Indian trade. He pointed out that exports dominate the flow of goods at Rupaidiha, while imports remain minimal. “We only import herbal medicines from Nepal, and today, too, two trucks of herbal medicines have arrived from Nepal,” he said.

He noted that nearly 99 per cent of the trade through this crossing is made up of exports, with imports accounting for just one per cent.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday congratulated Nepal’s interim PM Sushila Karki on assuming office, calling her appointment “a shining example of women empowerment”.

Addressing a rally in Manipur capital Imphal, Modi said India and Nepal have been close friends bound by shared history, faith and cultural ties, and New Delhi stood firmly with the people of the neighbouring country during its transitional phase.

“I want to congratulate Sushila Karki on behalf of 140 crore Indians. I am confident that she will pave the way for peace, stability, and prosperity in Nepal,” the PM said.

Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki on Friday night became Nepal's first woman prime minister to lead an interim government.

“Sushila ji’s appointment as Nepal’s first woman prime minister is a remarkable example of women empowerment,” Modi asserted.

Her appointment ended days of political uncertainty after the KP Sharma Oli dispensation was forced to quit in the face of a nationwide agitation triggered by a social media ban.

Karki was chosen to lead the interim government after a meeting between President Paudel, Nepal's top military brass, and the youth protesters, who spearheaded the agitation.

With inputs from PTI