In a first public response on the issue, Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli said the Kalapani area at the tri-junction of India, Nepal and Tibet belongs to Nepal.

In this regard, he urged, “India should immediately withdraw its army from there.”

Oli made these sensational statements at a meeting organised by his party’s youth wing ‘Nepal Yuva Sangam’ on November 17, 2019.

“We will not allow even an inch of our territory to be occupied by any country, India must vacate it,” said Oli adding that they will hold dialogues after India “withdraws its army from our land”.

The PM, however, ruled out recommendations that Nepal should come up with an amended map with the contested areas.

As part of this all-party meeting, former PMs, foreign ministers and other key high-level officials urged Oli to take up the matter on an immediate basis.

Even the Nepal Foreign Ministry has made it clear in its statement on November 06, 2019, where it said, “the government is clear that the Kalapani area lies within Nepalese territory.”

In response, Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, “Our map accurately depicts the sovereign territory of India. The new map has in no manner revised our boundary with Nepal.”

Kumar further added that it’s boundary delineation exercise with Nepal is currently on under the existing mechanism.

“We reiterate our commitment to find a solution through dialogue in the spirit of our close and friendly bilateral relations,” said the official.

India had also stated the two nations should guard against “vested interests trying to create differences between the two”.

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Termed as a goodwill visit, this bilateral visit is being considered as a welcoming message for the start of India’s cordial relations with the Communist-led Government of Nepal that is yet to be formed.

As part of the visit, Swaraj called on the President of Nepal Bidya Devi Bhandari and also held discussions with a wide range of high-level Nepali politicians including CPN-UML Chairman K P Sharma Oli, CPN-MC Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Chairman of Nepal’s Federal Socialist Forum Upendra Yadav, among others.

During the discussions, Swaraj assured Indian Government’s full-fledged support to Nepal in its development and also in taking ahead bilateral ties between both the nations.

“Exchange of views on advancing our multi-dimensional relationship took place,” tweeted Raveesh Kumar, Indian External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson.

In a one-one discussion with Dahal, Swaraj said, “We will extend full cooperation to Nepal in attaining political stability and development.”

In response, Dahal reportedly said, “The talks we had were very positive and constructive. We discussed about the situation emerging after the conclusion of the elections and the preparation for formation of new government. Swaraj assured that India will extend full cooperation to Nepal in her efforts towards attaining political stability and development.”

Meanwhile, the Communist Alliance is currently busy in preparing for the formation of new Nepali Government, post which, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also most likely to visit the Himalayan nation (according to CPN-UML).

“Modi telephoned Oli twice and both leaders invited each other for a visit to their countries,” informed CPN-UML Secretary Pradip Gyawali.

Gyawali also informed that the formation of Communist-led new Nepal Government and proposed unification of both the left parties will be completed by March 2018.

India’s Aid to Nepal

In an interesting update that boosts Indo-Nepal ties, India has almost doubled its financial allocation to Nepal for 2018-19 in its annual Union Budget unveiled on February 01, 2018.

Out of Rs 15, 011 crore budget of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, Nepal has been allocated a sum of Rs 650 crore for FY 2018-19 more than the previous year’s value of Rs 375 crore.

“The budgetary increase indicates it is likely to cover the earthquake reconstruction fund that was in the pipeline for some time and was discussed with the Nepalese leaders,” former Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae said in a statement.

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