Nepal's PM blames India for spreading COVID, says 'Indian virus more lethal than Chinese'

Amid tensions mounting with China along LAC, and a controversy over Nepal's new political map, w Prime Minister KP Oli has blamed India for spre of vel Coronavirus in his country. This comes immediately after he defended Nepal's new political map that includes part of India as its territory. He claimed that virus from India is more 'lethal' than that from China; and this even though just days earlier, 123 countries h overwhelmed China's clout and forced WHO to agree to a comprehensive evaluation to origins of COVID-19 virus.

In a speech in parliament, Oli said: "Those who are coming from India through illegal channels are spreing virus in country and some local representatives and party leers are responsible for bringing in people from India without proper testing. It has become very difficult to contain COVID-19 due to flow of people from outside. Indian virus looks more lethal than Chinese and Italian w. More are getting infected," said Nepal PM.

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Nepal's new map

Even as Nepal's foreign minister Preep Kumar Gyawali said that efforts were on to resolve border issue with India through diplomatic initiatives, country issued an official map showing Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyhura under its territory. Oli reiterated that Nepal will claim Limpiyhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapanias through 'diplomatic efforts'. Earlier, country's president Bidhya Bhandarialso said that se parts belong to Nepal and appropriate diplomatic measures will be opted to resolve existing issues with India. 

Nepalese media quoted an official at Ministry of Land Reform and Manment as saying: " new map was drawn on basis of Sugauli Treaty of 1816 signed between Nepal and n British India government and or relevant documents, which suggests Limpiyhura, from where Kali river originated, is Nepal’s border with India."

RE | After Nepal claims Indian territory in its new political map, PM KP Oli defends inclusion

MEA rejects Nepal's claims 

As new political map created commotion in New Delhi amid mounting tensions with China along LAC, Ministry of External Affairs slammed this "unilateral act". Maintaining that this move was t based on historical facts and evidence, MEA official spokesperson Anurag Srivastava observed that this was contrary to understanding between two countries to resolve boundary disputes through dialogue. He me it clear that India shall t accept such an "artificial enlargement" of territory. reafter, he urged Nepal government to respect India's consistent position on this matter. Srivastava expressed hope that Nepalese leership would create a positive dialogue to resolve boundary issues. 

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Recent row between India and Nepal

India and Nepal are at loggerhes after India issued a new political map incorporating Kalapani and Lipulekh on its side of border in October last year.  tension furr escalated after India inaugurated a ro link connecting Kailash Mansarovar, holy pilgrim site situated at Tibet, China, that passes through territory that Nepal claims. 80-km new ro inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh earlier this month is expected to help pilgrims visiting Kailash-Mansarovar in Tibet in China as it is around 90 kms from Lipulekh pass. India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) h said ro going through Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district "lies completely within territory of India".

After new ro was inaugurated on May 8 connecting Lipulekh pass in Uttarakhand with Kailash Mansarovar route in China, Nepal h protested and said it is also considering putting up a security post in area. Nepal's foreign minister also summoned Indian Ambassor Vinay Mohan Kwatra and handed over a diplomatic te to him to protest against construction of key ro.

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