Due to blockade of trade points by India for Nepal by agitating so called Madhesi parties, China is mulling providing 1,000 metric tonnes of fuel to help the landlocked country tide over an acute shortage of petroleum products during the festival season. The first shipment will be dispatched to Kathmandu via the reopened Rasuwagadhi-Kerung trading point between Nepal and Tibet. The route along the trading point on both sides of the border was badly damaged in the massive earthquake in April. Nepal and China have also recently reopened two border check points -- Tatopani and Kerung. The first shipment from China is expected to arrive in the Nepalese capital Kathmandu as early as Tuesday, said sources at state-owned Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC). A six-member team from the NOC led by its Deputy General Manager Sushil Kumar Bhattarai has reached Sigatse in Tibet to discuss fuel import with Chinese officials, the sources said. Another high-level team from Nepal consisting officials from various ministries will soon leave for Beijing to sign a deal in this regard.
