KATHMANDU: China has urged Nepal and India to resolve the border disputes through friendly consultations at a time when the relation between the two countries has soured, of late.
Speaking at a regular press briefing on Tuesday, China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said the issue related to Kalapani is between Nepal and India.
The statement comes at a time when political leaders are calling on the Nepal government to speak to Beijing regarding India’s building of a new link road in the Nepali territory.
Zhao in the press briefing has also urged the two countries to refrain from taking any unilateral actions that may complicate the issue further.
Reports say that India has built a road in the Kalapani region, an area that is under dispute between India and Nepal.
Meanwhile, the Nepal government has an raised objection, calling on the southern neighbor to stop infringing on Nepal’s territorial sovereignty.
Last week, Indian Army Chief General Naravane said during a webinar organized by the Manohar Parrikar Institute of Defense and Analysis (IDSA) that there may be external forces involved in the territorial disputes.
The cabinet on Monday endorsed a new political map that includes all disputed territories of Limpiyadhura, Kalapani and Lipu Lekh within Nepal.
Similarly, Prime Minister KP Oli said Limpiyadhura, Lipu Lekh and Kalapani are the parts of Nepal.
Answering to the questions raised by the lawmakers on the government’s policies and programs on Tuesday, PM Oli said the government is publishing a new map of Nepal that includes these disputed territories.
Comment