The main opposition party UML protested from the streets to the House for months in 2049, saying that the Tanakpur project agreement made by Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala with India was unequal. At that time, the opposition parties, including the left wing, had one voice - 'As the Prime Minister said, this is not an agreement, it is a treaty.'

When the Supreme Court also interpreted the agreement as a treaty, then the situation became more uncomfortable for Prime Minister Koirala. On top of that, when the opposition started to strongly oppose India, it became a diplomatic issue as well. 

When the opposition felt that India was irritated on this issue, they started preparing for a visit to India saying that they would explain the issue they are raising to India . On 11 February 2049, a three-member delegation led by UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal reached India. This team returned to Nepal on 16 February.

After the UML delegation members who went to discuss with India's then ruling party Congress (I) and the opposition, returned home, they responded that they were able to "convince" the Indian leaders that they are determined to improve Nepal-India relations. They also said that the intentions of the leaders of the Indian ruling party were positive towards their stand. 

UML leader Nepal had given information to the Nepali media that India has assured that talks can be held about Tanakpur. CP Mainali, a member of the visiting team, responded that UML's initiative to strengthen ties with India was successful. 

The delegation held discussions with former Indian Prime Minister Vishwanath Pratap Singh, Congress (I) spokesperson VN Gadgil, Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao's political adviser Jitendra Prasad, former Foreign Minister IK Gujral, former Foreign Secretary Muchkund Duve, Marxist Communist Party General Secretary Harikisan Surjit, Communist Party of India (Malay) General Secretary Vinod Mishra, Indian People's Front leader Rajaram and Communist Party of India General Secretary Indrajit Gupta. had done . National Assembly member Premsingh Dhami also participated in the delegation.