The fuel crisis created by the unofficial blockade of Nepal by India has launched a discourse on the country’s energy security. As Nepal is completely dependent on India for petroleum products, a halt in fuel shipments has led to an acute shortage, forcing the government to ration gasoline, implement an odd-even system for vehicular movement and stop providing fuel to private automobiles altogether. In this context, stakeholders have stressed the need to reduce the dependence on a single supplier and single source of energy. They said that efforts should be made to import fuel from multiple countries, maintain ample stocks and work on boosting self-reliance in energy by promoting hydropower and exploring for oil in the country. They also emphasized the need […]