Oli now says India has ‘encroached’ Nepal’s territory since 1962, should return it

Addressing his country's parliament, Nepal PM K.P. Sharma Oli said ‘our territory should be returned’, referring to the disputed Kalapani region.

File image of Nepal PM K.P. Sharma Oli | Photo: ANI

New Delhi: Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli Wednesday lashed out at India once again, stating it has “encroached” Nepali territory since 1962 by stationing its Army in the Kalapani region, and created an “artificial” Kali river to demarcate the border.

Addressing members of Nepal parliament Wednesday, Oli said his country is still seeking to settle the border row through “diplomatic talks” based on “historical facts” and “pieces of evidence”.

“Our territory should be returned,” Oli said a day after his government tabled a bill in the House of Representatives, the lower house of parliament, to amend Nepal’s Constitution to include the disputed regions of Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani in its official map.

“We will seek a solution through diplomatic talks on the basis of historical facts and pieces of evidence. And that means our territory should be returned,” he added.

Oli went on to say that India “artificially built” the Kali river, which acts as the de facto boundary in between India and Nepal, to assert its claim on the disputed region.

Historical treaty and agreement

India and Nepal have so far been following the Treaty of Sugauli (1816) and their own 1960 agreement when it comes to the Kalapani border issue.

According to the Treaty of Sugauli, the land east of Mahakali river is regarded as Nepal’s territory, and the land west of it as India’s territory.

Both sides dispute the origin of the Kali river. Nepal claims the origin is in the higher reaches of this hilly territory, and thus, the regions of Kalapani and Lipulekh belong to them.

“Our ancestors founded and saved this country through their struggles. We will be able to establish our territorial integrity if we remain firm. The whole country has stood firm on it. The parliament has expressed out the people’s general will,” PM Oli said.

He also came down heavily on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath who had recently stated that Nepal should avoid making the same mistake as Tibet.

“Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Adityanath ji has said some things about Nepal. His comments are inappropriate and illegitimate. Someone in the Indian leadership should ask him not to comment on issues that he does not understand. Any comment on Nepal and threatening it will be condemned,” Oli said.

He implored all members of the Nepal parliament to vote for the constitutional amendment in “one voice”.

Oli’s previous comments

On 20 May, Nepal had released a new political map showing the disputed territories of Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani within its borders, adding almost 335 sq km to its territory. India had rejected it, saying it will not accept such an “artificial enlargement” of its territory.

Oli had then blamed India for sending the “Indian virus” to Nepal and infecting its people.

He had even taken a shot at India’s national emblem, the Lion Capital, and motto ‘Satyameva Jayate (truth alone prevails)’, by saying New Delhi is now following the motto “simheva jayate (lion, signifying strength, wins)”.