KATHMANDU — Indian trucks carrying food and fuel began trickling into Nepal on Wednesday, a welcomed development for a nation grappling with shortages caused by a blockade during protests against the country's new constitution. Nepal, a small Himalayan country, depends heavily on supplies from India, its giant neighbor. Home Ministry spokesman Laxmi Dhakal said about 100 Indian trucks, mostly carrying food, and five tankers loaded with oil and gas entered Nepal on Wednesday after a meeting between officials of the two countries. Nepalese officials suggested that India was initially reluctant to send oil tankers. However, India accepted Nepal's plea after it said it would not accept food alone, Dhakal said. Nepal has restricted the movement of vehicles due to the fuel shortages, with cars permitted to run only on alternate days. Pharmacies are also low on supplies of medicine. Hundreds of oil tankers and trucks carrying medicine, sugar, salt, food and cooking gas cylinders are lined on the Indian side of the land border crossing point at Sunauli. — AP
