File: Indian trucks carrying goods to Nepal stranded near the border. (AFP Photo)
India is expected to convey its concerns over the continued unrest in Nepal during the visit of the neighbouring country's new Deputy Prime Minister Kamal Thapa in New Delhi from Saturday.
Ahead of his first visit abroad after assuming office, Mr Thapa said in Kathmandu that he is optimistic about its outcome and it will enhance the relations between the two countries.
Mr Thapa is also the Foreign Minister of Nepal.
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said: "The visit will provide an opportunity to discuss all issues of mutual concern as well as review and further strengthen India-Nepal relations."
During his three-day visit, Mr Thapa will be holding extensive talks with his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj.
Mr Thapa is also the coordinator of a three-member team formed by the Nepal government to hold talks with Indian authorities to end blockade of key trade points by Indian-origin Madhesi people who are opposed to splitting the country into seven provinces.
On the supplies of commodities to Nepal from the Indian side which were getting affected due to protests there, Mr Swarup said Indian trucks are waiting to enter Nepal, which would happen once the political situation on the Nepal side becomes more conducive.
Noting that a long line of freight trucks were waiting to cross over to Nepal due to the problem of "disruption on the Nepalese side of the border", he said whenever the disruptions, or protests on the Nepalese side, have slightly eased, "we have tried to send supplies across the border".
Giving details of situation at various key entry and exit points between Indian and Nepal, he said out of nine crossing points for carrying commercial cargo on the border, five to six points have been constantly in use and in last 24 hours, 733 commercial vehicles moved through seven crossing points.
Nearly 2,500 trucks are waiting on the Indian side, out of which 1,500-2,000 are at Raxaul and 750 at Sanauli - waiting to cross over, he said.
"Today is the 21st day of border obstructions, and the 62nd day of unrest," he said. The Madhesi people are protesting against the new Constitution, which they say does not give them adequate representation.
Mr Thapa's visit comes at a "difficult" time for India and Nepal ties after Kathmandu alleged that New Delhi has imposed an economic blockade on the country following the announcement of its new Constitution, which is being seen as against the interest of Indian-origin Madhesi community living in the Terai region of the Himalayan nation.
India sees no merit in Nepal's complaints that it was being "choked" and deprived of essential supplies by it.