Kathmandu: Addressing concerns raised during a National Assembly session on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal clarified that the recent entry of an Indian helicopter into Nepali airspace in Darchula district was not a deliberate provocation.
According to the Minister, the aircraft crossed into Nepali territory solely due to deteriorating weather conditions and the challenging geographical landscape of the border region. He assured parliamentarians that there was no evidence of planned or malicious intent from the Indian side, adding that relevant authorities from both nations remain in close coordination regarding the incident to maintain transparency and border security.
Minister Khanal also updated the house on the government’s proactive stance regarding cross-border trade, specifically addressing hurdles in the export of betel nuts.
He stated that the government is currently making calculated efforts to resolve these bottlenecks to support local producers.
Furthermore, the Minister highlighted a significant diplomatic breakthrough concerning the export of Nepali tea to India, which had previously faced major regulatory barriers.
He reported that following high-level discussions during his visit to India in June, coupled with sustained engagement between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nepali Embassy, and various Indian trade and food security officials, New Delhi has recently revised its policies.
This move has successfully streamlined the flow of Nepali tea into the Indian market, providing much-needed relief to the industry.
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