New Delhi: Amid a border dispute between India and Nepal over Kalapani and Lipulekh, Bollywood actor Manisha Koirala has supported the Nepalese government’s move to show these two regions as part of its territory.
On Monday, the actor replied to Nepal Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali’s tweet informing the inclusion of the two disputed regions in the country’s official map. She also thanked the Nepalese government for the same.
Koirala, who is of Nepalese-origin, said she hoped for a peaceful and respectful dialogue between “all three great nations” — referring to India, Nepal and China.
Thank you for keeping the dignity of our small nation..we all are looking forward for a peaceful and respectful dialogue between all three great nations now ? https://t.co/A60BZNjgyK
— Manisha Koirala (@mkoirala) May 18, 2020
Gyawali’s tweet in Nepali says that the council of ministers have decided to publish a new map of the country showing its seven provinces, 77 districts and 753 local administrative divisions, including “Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani”. He also added that the official map will be published soon by the country’s land management ministry.
His tweet came a day after he had thanked the Indian government for providing testing kits and medical logistics to Nepal for its battle against the coronavirus pandemic.
Sincere thanks to the Government of India for providing medical logistics and testing kits for 30,000 tests which were handed over to the Ministry of Health and Population today as a part of ongoing cooperation to fight the pandemic.
— Pradeep Gyawali (@PradeepgyawaliK) May 17, 2020
Border dispute between India and Nepal
In November 2019, a newly-issued official map by India’s home ministry included the Kalapani area which Nepal claims to be its own. The move had irked the Nepal government.
Nepal also claims that the Lipulekh pass comes under its territory and lies in the country’s Dharchula district of Sudurpashchim Pradesh. Defence minister Rajnath Singh recently opened a 80-km road that ends at Lipulekh Pass for pilgrims to reach Kailash Mansarovar, which was objected to by the government of Nepal.
Indian Army Chief Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane’s remarks last week that Nepal’s protest against the border road was at the behest of “someone else” (referring to China), had also escalated tensions between India and Nepal.
Also read: Nepal wants India to settle Lipulekh border issue before talks on new Kailash Mansarovar road