India hits out at Nepal, says artificial enlargement of territorial claims not acceptable

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 20

India on Wednesday hit out at Nepal for releasing a new political map that includes Kalapani, a bone of contention between the two countries, as well as other disputed spots.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Kathmandu’s release of a revised official map of Nepal that includes parts of Indian territory was a “unilateral act and not based on historical facts and evidence”.

Accusing Nepal of going contrary to the bilateral understanding to resolve the outstanding boundary issues through diplomatic dialogue, MEA official spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said India would not accept such artificial enlargement of territorial claims.

The dispute over Kalapani had been brewing since late last year when India reacted in measured tones. It reared again when Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced the black-topping of a road leading to a pass with China through a triangle that Nepal says is its territory.

India had offered to hold Foreign Secretary level talks once the pandemic was over, but influential members of Nepalese Parliament, which is in session, set the tone for a hardening of stance by pointing out if the Indian Defence Minister inaugurated a road during a pandemic, the talks could also take place now.

The MEA further said the Nepal Government was well aware of India’s position on this matter and urged it to refrain from “such unjustified cartographic assertion and respect India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.

It hoped the Nepalese leadership will create a positive atmosphere for diplomatic dialogue to resolve the outstanding boundary issues.