India has taken strong objection to the passing of constitutional amendment by the lower house of Nepal and said that this arti- ficial enlargement of claims is not based on historical fact or evidence and is not tenable. New Delhi also views this amendment as “violation of current understanding to hold talks on outstanding boundary issues”.
As per IANS, according to a source closely following the sequence of events, “This move has even surprised many in Nepal and shows that the map was hastily drawn without any basis. It is clear enough that the new map is only a tool for political gains and is neither supported by facts nor evidence.”
Nepal watchers in New Delhi also believe that “India has always stressed on a resolution of the boundary issue through diplomatic dialogue”.
The outstanding boundary issues were discussed at the level of Joint Working Group in 1997 and 1998. In 2014, both sides mandated the two foreign secretaries to work on the issues of Kalapani and Narsahi-Sustaand with technical inputs from Boundary Working Group as and when required.
“During recent talks also, India responded positively to the Nepalese side and conveyed its willingness to hold the talks in a conducive environment and at a mutually convenient date. India reaffirmed its commitment for talks after Nepal objected to the inauguration of Kailash Mansarovar road by Government of India. However, without any basis in historical fact or evidence, Government of Nepal hastily released a new map of Nepal including parts of Indian territory.
A constitutional amendment bill has been passed by the lower House of the Parliament for changing the national emblem to include a revised map of Nepal,” the source added.
With agency inputs