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Soon after Nepal adopted a new federal constitution on September 20, communities living in Terai, including Madeshis and the Tharu ethnic minorities intensified their protest against the demarcation of new state borders, which they believe could lead to their political marginalisation. An unofficial blockade at the Birgunj trade checkpoint has further sourced relations between the two nations.

According to Nepalese officials, Indian Oil Corporation has stopped supplies to the Nepal Oil Corporation, causing a fuel crisis in the mountain country. However, Indian officials have denied that there is a blockade: they claim that they have only instituted restrictions due to security reasons.

Birgunj, known as “gateway of Nepal”, connects the mountain country with northern Bihar. The bulk of trade between India and Nepal is conducted through Birgunj and Raxaul in Bihar. But besides being the hub of bustling trade and commerce, Birgunj is also a busy route for human trafficking – A Gateway into Slavery, as a documentary made by Operation Blessing International is titled. Every year, thousands of Nepalese women are brought to India as sex slaves via this route and sold in brothels.

According to a report from UNICEF, approximately 7,000 Nepalese women and girls are trafficked to India every year, and around 200,000 now working in Indian brothels.