New Delhi: New Delhi believes that Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli is ratcheting up unprecedented tensions with India over border issues to “deflect attention” from his own unpopularity and intra-party troubles, a top official told ThePrint.
The fact that PM Oli has taken such a hard stance against a friendly neighbour like India, especially amid a pandemic, is indicative of the fact that his Nepal Communist Party is facing severe opposition from rival factions and opposition parties in the country, said the official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
“He (PM Oli) has used this to show a sudden nationalist urge that seeks to serve his purpose of deflecting attention from his own unpopularity and intra-party troubles,” the official told ThePrint.
Tensions between Kathmandu and New Delhi took a dramatic turn Wednesday when India said it will not accept such “artificial enlargement of territorial claims”, and urged the Nepalese leadership to “create a positive atmosphere for diplomatic dialogue to resolve the outstanding boundary issues”.
India was reacting to a new political map released by Nepal on Tuesday showing the disputed territories of Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani within its territory.
Veteran diplomat and former Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Rakesh Sood, told ThePrint that the border dispute between India and Nepal has existed for over two decades now.
“It was agreed at the level of Prime Ministers that a political-level resolution was required to resolve the matter, which has not happened,” he said.
“The road (new road to Kailash Mansarovar) has been under construction for more than 10 years now and it was understood that India will use the road. India has continued to maintain a presence in Lipulekh pass since the 1950s,” he added. “We also have an open border and free movement of people. Therefore, these issues are best resolved through sensitivity to each other’s concerns and not by increased rhetoric which removes any space for compromise and understanding.”
Also read: Won’t accept ‘artificial enlargement’ of territory — India hits back as Nepal redraws map
Oli under fire in Nepal
Prime Minister Oli has been facing severe criticism in Nepal over the way his government has handled the Covid-19 crisis. There have been charges of corruption against some of his ministers over the procurement of medical devices and other equipment from China for the coronavirus crisis, said another source.
Oli, the source said, has also been accused of losing grip on his party while leaders like Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” are tightening their influence. The ruling party is now divided in literally two camps.
Oli has also been facing a leadership crisis for the last few months and this got accentuated when last month, and again in May, the Chinese ambassador to Kathmandu, Hou Yanqi, met Dahal as well as another senior party leader Madhav Nepal, both former Prime Ministers of the country.
Meanwhile, one of the opposition parties in Nepal — Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) – has come out in open support for the ruling party over the new controversial map.
“We’re not raising this issue out of blue or at ‘someone’s instigation’ now. Nepal has been raising this issue of encroachment at all levels since 6 decades. We agreed to resolve this thru bilateral dialogue,” said Kamal Thapa, Chairman, RPP in a series of tweets Thursday.
“But, despite bilateral understanding India recently issued a new map covering Nepal’s territory and inaugurated the road built in this area linking China. So we’re compelled to take initiative to protect our national integrity. Please stop blaming Nepal,” he added.
According to Treaty of 1816 ‘areas east of river Kali belongs to Nepal’.Limpiyadhura, Kalapani n Lipulekh lie east of Kali. After 1962 India built army barracks n roads in these areas of https://t.co/bv5k9U7F49 who is to be blamed for ‘artificial enlargement of territory’?
— Kamal Thapa (@KTnepal) May 21, 2020
This michael debased a renowned univeisity like Delhi University
Gets your facts correct. Just because Nepal is claiming back it’s territoty which dates back or the treaty of 1957 doesn’t make playing into other super power hands. Isn’t India playing into Anerixa’s Hand in one way or other for their self interest in the South Pacific region.
Make no mistake..Unlike countries like India, who couldn’t not defend themselves from British Invasion & had stayed slave to their bristish masters for long may have habit of doing things as instructed by their maters. Nepal never has been & never will be billed into or ruled by any one. Nepali always are & alwys will be a fierce & independent people when u scratch the surface. This is something fundamental about Nepali people’s attitude & genes that our indian Neighbours have until date failed to understand.
What is right & fair is fair..it should not matter whether any external elements are involved. In geopolitics there always are dirty politics played in various level. However, that doesn’t change the fact that some other country should not by force take another country’s Land. The writer here is cleary biased with unconscious or conscious sense of superiority & big brother attitude & bullying. Idiots Arrogant Tv host a like Goswamy thinks that just because he shouts out loud on online show make people believe him. Only shows the weak character of loud annoying dickheads like him. There is a saying in English “When caught out, thieves always make big noises”. Goswamy is a typical example of that!!
Come with facts on the table & sort the issue out once & for all as mature adults. India always making excuses to not sit for divisions says its all that it has a weak hand when claiming the territory. It’s just a commonsense. Pull your head in mates. This is 2020 now..no ones gonna Trust your factless rubbish anymore with fabricated evidence..If u have guys come on the table & prove it or just shut up & do the right thing!! RR Joshi
Chup watchman! China would soon put u in concentration camp, just like the ughyurs. Stop playing in China’s hand. .. Every year thousands of Nepalis come and earn their living in India. Some doing jobs, some selling momo’s , and some watchman duty(of course!).. Let me give u an example: In my college, Delhi University, a Nepali student was studying in my class without any exam, any fees, and he also got scholarship from Indian govt. , free laptop, and free hostel. Thousands of Nepali students come and study in India and gets Scholarship too , whereas Indian students have to give exam & donation. We considered u as brothers, we were with u in every step, we never discriminated against u, yet all of a sudden you guys forget everything and grabs chinese testicle all bcos of money. You have shown ur watchman mentality.
The title of the article suggest that it is official position taken by india and communicated to the world, but it is not. So please change the title.
BJP GOVT STARTED ITS ENLARGEMENT POLICY AFTER MODI GOVT EVEN WITH SMALLER COUNTRY. THIS IS BEST EXAMPLE.