‘Losses crossed crores a day, onions, soyabean meal, dairy worst hit’

Balagopal Balachandran, National Air Freight Head, FEI Cargo said, “The unrest in Nepal is not just a political story, it’s playing out the lives of farmers, truckers and traders on both sides of the border. Bilateral trade between the two nations reached approximate US$8.54 billion in FY 2024-25. India exported goods worth US$7.3 billion to Nepal, while Nepal shipped about US$1.2 billion into India, mostly soyabean oil, polyester yarn, cardamom, jute products and carpets. When borders stall, both flows take a hit. At Rupaidiha in Uttar Pradesh and Sunauli in Bihar, more than 1,000 trucks stood idle for days. “We watched our vegetables rot in front of us,” said an Indian trader, forced to sell produce locally at throwaway prices. Losses crossed crores a day, with onions, soyabean meal and dairy among the worst hit. For Nepal, dependent on India for fuel, Spare parts, medicines and construction materials, the blockade meant shortages and rising costs.  Nepal’s exporters too felt the squeeze. Soyabean oil and cardamom shipments bound for India were stuck in transit, hitting small producers and cooperatives hard. Carpet exporters in Kathmandu feared losing international buyers who rely on timely deliveries through India’s ports. Looking ahead, resilience is key. Now, as normalcy resumes slowly so are the supplies, stakeholders are urging long term fixes: faster border clearances, cold chain support for perishables and digital customs integration. For millions tied to this trade, one truth is clear: India–Nepal connectivity is more than commerce. Nepal needs Indian corridors and India’s border states rely on Nepal’s markets.