Nepal strongly objects to construction of road by India connecting Tibet via Nepali territory Lipulekh

KATHMU, May 9: Nepal has strongly objected to the development of a strategic hyperlink street by the Indian authorities connecting Dharchula of Indian State of Uttarakh with the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) of China through the Lipulekh Pass, a Nepali territory.

On Friday, India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh introduced the completion of the hyperlink street for use for Indian pilgrims to Mansarovar of Tibet through Lipulekh Pass.

In a press assertion as we speak, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) acknowledged that the Nepal authorities has learnt with remorse concerning the ‘inauguration’ yesterday by India of ‘Link Road’ connecting to Lipu Lekh (Nepal).

In gentle of this improvement, the Government of Nepal referred to as upon the Government of India to chorus from finishing up any exercise contained in the territory of Nepal, the ministry mentioned.

The ministry reminded the Indian authorities that Nepal has persistently maintained that as per the Sugauli Treaty (1816), all of the territories east of Kali (Mahakali) River, together with Limpiyadhura, Kalapani Lipu Lekh, belong to Nepal.

“This was reiterated by the Government of Nepal a number of occasions up to now most not too long ago by means of a diplomatic notice addressed to the Government of India dated 20 November 2019 in response to the brand new political map issued by the latter,” the ministry acknowledged within the press assertion.

The MoFA additionally mentioned that this unilateral act runs in opposition to the understing reached between the 2 international locations together with on the degree of Prime Ministers {that a} resolution to boundary points can be sought by means of negotiation.

“The Government of Nepal stays dedicated to hunt diplomatic resolution to boundary points on the idea of the historic treaty, paperwork, info maps in line with the spirit of shut pleasant ties between the 2 international locations,” the ministry mentioned.

The ministry additionally recalled that the Government of Nepal had expressed its disagreement in 2015 by means of separate diplomatic notes addressed to the governments of each India China when the 2 sides agreed to incorporate Lipu Lekh Pass as a bilateral commerce route with out Nepal’s consent within the Joint Statement issued on 15 May 2015 in the course of the official go to of the Prime Minister of India to China.

In its assertion issued by the MoFA, the Government of Nepal reemphasized that pending boundary points between the 2 international locations needs to be resolved by means of diplomatic means.

“With this in thoughts, the Government of Nepal has proposed twice the dates for holding the assembly of the Foreign Secretaries of the 2 international locations, as mated by their leaders, for which the response from the Indian aspect remains to be awaited,” it mentioned.

The MoFA additionally famous that the 2 Governments had constituted the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) on Nepal-India Relations with a mate to advocate measures institutional framework with a view to elevating the prevailing relations to a brand new peak. The Group has concluded its process ready a consensus report.

“The Government of Nepal is able to obtain the report believes that will probably be within the curiosity of the 2 international locations to implement its suggestions which can even assist deal with the outsting points left by the historical past, thereby paving the way in which for ever stronger neighborly relations,” the MoFA added.