Ex-Indian envoy Sood suggests resolving border dispute through talks at political level

KATHMANDU: Former Indian Ambassador to Nepal Rakesh Sood has said that the border disputes should be resolved through talks at the political level.

Speaking at a seminar on Nepal-India Military Cooperation organized by the Asian Institute for Diplomacy and International Affairs (AIDIA) in collaboration with Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defense Studies and Analysis (MP-IDSA), he opined that it would not be appropriate to discuss sensitive issues like the border below the highest political level.

He further said, “Both countries have very strong democracies. Nepal also has a new constitution and political stability after the election. There is a political nature between the two countries, which determines the military-to-military relationship. Other contentious issues, including borders, should be discussed at the political level.”

He also spoke about the growing military cooperation between Nepal and China, especially in recent years.

He said, “India-China relations have undergone a fundamental change in recent times and it is important for Nepal to take the lead in that changed relationship.”