Nepal should win Indian confidence for talks: India responds to Nepalese

New Delhi: India lashed out at Nepal saying that if Nepal is interested in holding talks with India, it will have first to win the confidence of India. Nepal claiming rights over the Indian region of Kalapani, proposed a foreign secretary-level discussion to India. A few days ago, Nepalese Prime Minister, KP Oli Sharma, adopted a very aggressive stand and initiated steps to include the concerned region into the map of Nepal. The Indian military chief had said that the Nepalese aggression was under instigation from someone else. Against this background, India has delivered a specific message to this neighbouring country that no compromise is possible on the Kalapani issue.

A few days ago, the Nepalese government had published a map of Nepal, which showed a major part of India, including Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura as Nepalese territories. The Indian military chief had indicated that this sudden raising of border dispute was a result of Chinese instigation. Although the Nepalese cabinet of ministers approved the plan, the KP Oli Sharma government failed to get the bill passed in the parliament.

The opposition parties had advised the government to exhibit restraint. The political parties representing the Madhesi people in Nepal put a condition that the demands of the Madhesi people must be sanctioned along with the map. But the Nepalese government has still not withdrawn the proposal but has deferred it for a specified period. Against this background, the Indian foreign ministry has reacted to the Nepalese proposal for secretary-level discussions.

Foreign ministry spokesman, Anurag Srivastav said that India is closely watching the situation and Nepal is also taking the Indian objections seriously. At the same time, Srivastav added that India is hoping to Share excellent relations with all its neighbours and India is always ready for talks in a positive atmosphere. India has always given importance to the historical, cultural and friendly ties with Nepal. Srivastav also pointed out that India is supplying medicines and other essential items to Nepal, even during the current Coronavirus crisis.