Parliamentary committee invites PM to discuss Kalapani and Lipulekh

KATHMANDU, Nov 10: The state affairs and good governance committee of the federal parliament has summoned Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli to discuss the issues related to Nepali territory which were unilaterally placed in the new Indian political map released earlier this month.

The prime minister was invited to the meeting, which is scheduled for Monday, after the lawmakers demanded a discussion with the PM regarding the Indian map, said the committee secretariat.

The entire country has been swept by indignation after India placed the Nepali territories Kalapani and Lipulekh inside its border in its new map–released on Nov 2 to reflect the changes in the newly formed Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir Ladakh.

An all-party meeting held on Saturday has concluded that the recently released political map of India which places Nepali territories including Kalapani as unacceptable.

“We have enough historical evidences, maps and documents which prove that Kali river which originates from Limpiyadhura is the true origin of Mahakali river and Lipulekh and the territories east of the river including Kalapani are the territories of Nepal,” the Ministry of Foreign Affaris stated in a press release following the all-party meeting.

The meeting, attended by former prime ministers, political leaders of the federal parliament, ministers, former foreign affairs ministers and border experts, also suggested the government to diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue.

Prime Minister Oli has also expressed determination to make effective diplomatic efforts to resolve the issues.

However, India has asserted the new Indian map accurately depicts the sovereign territory of India.

Nepal had allowed the Indian troops to occupy some posts in Nepali land as defensive measured during the India-China War in 1962. When the war was over, India withdrew all its troops from the Nepali land expect Kalapani.

Since then Indian troops have occupied the territory.