Nepal not to be a 'lab' for nations to conduct experiments:Oli

Nepal will no longer be a “laboratory” for foreign countries to conduct experiments, Prime Minister K P Oli said today even as he called for fresh talks with the agitating Madhesis to resolve the differences over the new Constitution. In a televised address to the country on the eve of Nepalese New Year, Oli called on the agitating United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) to seek a solution through talks to resolve the ongoing political impasse.

“There is no issue that can’t be resolved through a democratic process,” he said.

The government has already formed a political body to settle disputes over provincial demarcations under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa, Oli said and urged the disgruntled Madhesi groups to join the committee.

He stressed that the major responsibility of the incumbent government is to implement the new Constitution.

Nepal will no longer be a laboratory for foreign countries to conduct experiments, Oli said without naming any nation.

“Many social scientists have made different kinds of experiments in our country in the name of religion, culture, ethnicity, geography and region in the wake of negative outcome of lack of development. We should no more allow the country to become a laboratory,” the Prime Minister said.

The Madhesis, mostly of Indian origin, have been demanding the new Constitution be amended to include their concerns about adequate political representation and redrawing of federal boundaries.

They had enforced months-long blockade of Nepal’s all trading points with India, creating huge shortage of essential commodities in the country and souring Indo-Nepal ties.

Nepal had accused India of imposing the “economic blockade”, which India strongly denied.