KATHMANDU: Minister for Water Supply Mahindra Raya Yadav has denounced the recent controversial remarks made by the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Chan Song, as a breach of diplomatic decorum.

Minister Yadav asserted that Ambassador Song’s comments regarding Nepal’s economic situation and its relationship with India were inappropriate within the context of diplomatic norms.

During an event held last Saturday, Ambassador Song remarked that Nepal was incurring losses from its electricity trade with India and offered suggestions on how Nepal could attain self-sufficiency in this scenario. He also encouraged Nepal to enhance its economic ties with China. These comments have since drawn significant criticism.

In response, Minister Yadav, in conversation with journalists, stressed that it was a violation of diplomatic protocol for an ambassador to one country to comment negatively about another country. He underscored that Nepal-India relations encompass not only diplomatic aspects but also social, economic, cultural, and linguistic dimensions, making it imperative for Ambassador Song to handle such matters more diplomatically.

Minister Yadav, who also serves as the chairman of Nepal Samajwadi Party, emphasized that Nepal retains the sovereign right to determine its business partners. He also raised concerns about China’s omission of the pointed area from its new map when referencing Nepalese territory.

He stated, “China’s failure to recognize the constitution passed by Nepal’s parliament, which already includes this area, constitutes an affront to Nepal’s sovereignty.”

Additionally, Minister Yadav revealed that during Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’s visit to China, issues related to maps and territorial concerns would be on the agenda for discussion.