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

A day after Nepal's cabinet endorsed a new political map showing India's Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyhura under its territory, thus raising border dispute, country's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has defended action. On Tuesday, Oli reiterated that Nepal will claim Limpiyhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapanias through 'diplomatic efforts'. Moreover, he went on to say that constitution will be amended to formally opt newly issued map. 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.

While answering a question by parliamentarians regarding issue, Oli said that diplomatic efforts will be me to bring back territories. "As Prime Minister of incumbent government, I want to appraise hourable house that issue of Limpiyhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani won't be covered up, a conclusion will be drawn regarding it. We won't let this issue fe out and it will be sorted out through diplomatic talks making concrete efforts and territories will be reclaimed," Oli said.

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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.  Nepal’s ruling Nepal Communist Party lawmakers have also tabled a special resolution in Parliament demanding return of Nepal’s territory in Kalapani, Limpiyhura and Lipulekh. 

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."

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India-Nepal border

India and Nepal share a 1,800km (1,118-mile) open border. Lipulekh Pass is claimed by Nepal based on 1816 Treaty of Sugauli it entered with British colonial rulers to define its western border with India. Kathmandu also claims highly strategic areas of Limpiyhura and Kalapani, although Indian troops have been deployed re since New Delhi fought a war with China in 1962. While Nepal claims Kalapani as part of ir Dharchula district, India says it is a part of Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district.

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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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