Nepalese Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali said he was confident that this would be resolved through dialogue
Kathmandu:
On Tuesday, Nepal reiterated its offer to hold diplomatic talks with India to resolve the territorial issue between the two countries.
Speaking in the country’s parliament, Nepalese Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali said Nepal hoped there would be a meeting to resolve the problem.
“So we have asked for them (India) in due course and we hope that there will be a meeting. We are convinced that it will be settled by dialogue, we are not thinking of any other option on this subject. do not think that another approach would also be necessary because we have not asked them and we have no desire for additional geographies, “said Mr Gyawali.
Tensions rose between the two countries after New Delhi opened a road connecting Kailash Mansarovar via Lipulekh on May 8, after which Kathmandu delivered a diplomatic note to New Delhi opposing the move.
Diplomatic ties were further strained after the publication of a new updated map by Nepal on May 20. The controversial updated map includes the Indian areas of Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura on its territory. India said the updated map was “not based on historical facts and evidence”.
New Delhi asked Kathmandu to refrain from such “unjustified cartographic assertion” and to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India.
India had previously stated that it attached great importance to deep-rooted historical, cultural and friendly relations with Nepal.
New Delhi also said it was ready to engage with all of its neighbors on the basis of mutual sensitivity and respect in an environment of trust.
India and Nepal share a 1,800 km open border.
A formal discussion on the amending bill tabled in the Nepalese Parliament began today.
The Nepalese House of Representatives or Lower House has 275 seats, of which the ruling NCP has 174 seats and has 10 seats for a two-thirds majority. In the last parliamentary election, the main opposition congress of Nepal won 63 seats and the Janata Samajbadi party won 34 seats.
Last week, the tabling of the bill was withdrawn from the calendar, the Nepalese Congress having asked for time to settle the question at the meeting of the Central Working Committee which started Saturday.
