KATHMANDU: Nepal government has handed a ‘diplomatic note’ to the Government of India expressing its serious concern over the Lipu Lekh dispute and the trade link road the Indian government has constructed to link it with China from that point.
Summoning the Indian Ambassador Vinaya Mohan Kwatra at the Foreign Ministry on Monday, the Ministry has formally given Nepal’s verdict on the Lipu Lekh dispute and the ‘trade link route’ India has constructed in that area.
Kwatra had been to the Foreign Ministry at around 11 am on Monday. The Indian ambassador had a meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali and the Foreign Secretary Shankar Bairagi at the Ministry.
According to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, as India has been executing various construction activities in Nepal’s Lipu Lekh area, the government has handed over the ‘diplomatic note’ as protest against it.
Nepal has proposed a high-level talks to settle the border and land dispute at Lipu Lekh-Kalapani side. India, however, has been postponing the proposal citing coronavirus pandemic and has told Nepal that it will be ready to talk on the issue after getting control over the pandemic.
India has opened a new route for Kailash Manasarovar pilgrimage lying in China’s autonomous region, Tibet.
Indian Home Minister Raj Nath Singh had inaugurated the Dharchula-Lipu Lekh link road on Friday.
All political parties of Nepal have vehemently protested against the move. They have urged the government to settle the dispute through high level talks instantly as slow response can further fuel the anti-Indian sentiment already in sight in the streets and media of Nepal.
Nepal’s Foreign Ministry issued has already protested against the move issuing a press release on Saturday.
Comment