Sushma Hits out at Mani Shankar Aiyar for Comments on Nepal Crisis

Sushma fiercely defends the government’s efforts to try to reduce the tension at the Indo-Nepal border.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. (Photo courtesy: RSTV)

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj spoke in the Rajya Sabha on Monday and strongly responded to Mani Shankar Aiyar’s comments on the Nepal crisis.

Earlier, Aiyar had said that the humanitarian crisis in Nepal was aggravating because of the blockade at the border, caused by the Indian government.

Defending the government’s stand, Swaraj said, “There are more than 11,000 Indian trucks stranded near India-Nepal border due to Madhesi protest”. She also emphasised that this was not the first time there was a blockade on the Indo-Nepal border and that it was not caused by the Modi government.

During the short discussion on the situation, Swaraj also said India had written to Nepal asking for a list of medicines they needed, but never got a reply from them.

We haven’t asked them to withdraw (the trucks) hoping that once the blockade is opened, we can (use those trucks to) transport medicines.

She also said that when an earthquake had struck Nepal, India was the first nation to extend its support like an elder brother.

“The Modi government does not say one thing and do something else”, Swaraj said.