By Bula Devi/ New Delhi : New Delhi has sharply reacted to Nepal’s revised map claiming parts of Indian territory. India had so far refrained from reacting on the issue until Kathmandu made its new map public on Wednesday.
India has termed Nepal’s revised map an “unilateral act” and “not based on historical facts and evidence”. This enlarging of territorial claims is “artificial”, India said while underlining that it is unacceptable.
On Wednesday, Nepal released a revised map showing Kalapani, Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh Pass in India’s Pithoragarh district in Uttarakhand as belonging to it.
The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, “The Government of Nepal has released a revised official map of Nepal today that includes parts of Indian territory. This unilateral act is not based on historical facts and evidence”.
Further hitting out at Nepal, Srivastava said, “It is contrary to the bilateral understanding to resolve the outstanding boundary issues through diplomatic dialogue. Such artificial enlargement of territorial claims will not be accepted by India”.
India expects that Kathmandu will refrain from such “unjustified” assertions and hopes that Nepal will create a “positive atmosphere” for diplomatic dialogue to resolve the outstanding boundary issues.
Srivastava said, “Nepal is well aware of India’s consistent position on this matter and we urge the Government of Nepal to refrain from such unjustified cartographic assertion and respect India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We hope that the Nepalese leadership will create a positive atmosphere for diplomatic dialogue to resolve the outstanding boundary issues”.
The issue has snowballed following Nepal cabinet endorsing the revised map and Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s Parliament address while stating that the government will “retrieve” the territory from India.
On Tuesday, Oli also told lawmakers that the coronavirus coming from India was “more lethal” than those from China and Italy. He also blamed those illegally entering from India for the spread of COVIT cases in the country.
He also reportedly said that he had doubts whether India subscribed to “Sinhaev Jayate” (the lion prevails) or “Satyamev Jayate” (truth prevails) which is in reference to India’s official emblem and slogan.
On Wednesday, Nepal Minister for Land Management Padma Kumari Aryal released the revised map showing Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh Pass as part of Nepal’s territory. This three territories together make about 310 kilometres.
India is upset by Nepal’s claims and experts are surprised by the Oli’s language. India is disappointed with Kathmandu as it did not wait for the Foreign Secretary level dialogue on the issue.
While Indian government asserts that it had assured talks would take place after COVIT 19 threat is dealt with, Kathmandu emphasises that it has been seeking for a dialogue since late last year.
It is widely believed that Nepal has been emboldened by China. There has been rising tensions between the two sides, stated to be prompted by China.
Last week Army Chief Gen MM Naravane said that “there is reason to believe” that Nepal’s objection to India inaugurating a road connecting to the Lipulekh Pass was “at the behest of someone else”, hinting at a possible role of China.
Speaking at a webinar in New Delhi, he said: “In fact, the Nepalese Ambassador has mentioned that the area east of the Kali river belongs to them. There is no dispute in that whatsoever. The road which we made is in fact to the west of the river.
“So, I don’t know what they are agitating about. As we go ahead, it literally shows as to where the tri-junction should be. There have never been any problems on this score in the past,” he said.
In response to a question on Nepal’s objection to laying of the road, Gen Naravane said: “There is reason to believe that they (Nepal) might have raised this issue at the behest of someone else and that is very much a possibility,” he said.
