KATHMANDU: Nepal has strongly condemned the construction of a new link road by India to connect Mansarobar of Tibet, China, via Kalapani Lipulekh area which falls in Nepali territory.
Issuing a statement on Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the unilateral act runs against the understanding reached between the two countries.
“This unilateral act runs against the understanding reached between the two countries including at the level of Prime Ministers that a solution to boundary issues would be sought through negotiation. The government of Nepal remains committed to seeking a diplomatic solution to boundary issues on the basis of the historical treaty, documents, facts and maps in keeping with the spirit of close and friendly ties between the two countries,” reads the statement issued by the Ministry.
The government of Nepal has called upon the government of India to refrain from carrying out any activity inside the territory of Nepal.
The statement adds that Nepal has consistently maintained that as per the Sugauli Treaty (1816), all the territories east of Kali (Mahakali) River, including Limpiyadhura, Kalapani and Lipu Lekh, belong to Nepal.
“This was reiterated by the government of Nepal several times in the past and most recently through a diplomatic note addressed to the government of India dated 20 November 2019 in response to the new political map issued by the latter,” further reads the statement.
The Ministry further said that the government of Nepal reemphasizes that pending boundary issues between the two countries should be resolved through diplomatic means.
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