| Summary/Abstract |
With the NDA-II Government’s assumption of office in May 2014, its “Neighbourhood First” policy had indeed provided a niche to Nepal, as borne out by the priority accorded to it through a series of high-level visits/engagements initiated by the Minister of External Affairs and the Prime Minister of India. Unfortunately, this optimistic rhythm received a major jolt by mid-2015, with the deteriorating curve of bilateral ties becoming apparent by the year end. Thus, in October 2015, when the ethnic Madhesis blockaded the Indo-Nepal border for over five months, crippling the economic backbone of the landlocked state, Kathmandu was quick to term the standoff as an “unofficial blockade” by India, alleging New Delhi’s tacit support for the Madhesis.
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