Crucial to initiate dialogue at a Ministerial level: HoR Shrestha

KATHMANDU, Nov 11: Co-chairperson of the ruling Samajwadi Party and Member of House of Representatives Rajendra Shrestha said that “our party has opposed the inclusion of Nepali land in the new Indian map”.

“In the meeting called by Prime Minister K.P.Sharma Oli yesterday we were positively in support with the ruling party and that internal unity was required to fight back foreign forces.

Speaking at an interaction program organized on Sunday at the Reporters Club Shrestha said ” which period do we take into account to determine the border?

Three hundred years ago there was a border, after the treaty of Sugauli there was one, and alongside the treaty in 1860 A.D  during Junga Bahadur Rana’s time, the border has been maintained. With this the entire area from Mechi to the river Mahakali, from the mountains to the Terai plains the entire border is ours.

He made it clear that the western border of Mahakali River from the area of Limpiadhura was taken as the origin of the border and this has been confirmed by past agreements.

“Previously we had secretary-level members from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs looking into the issue but they were unable to resolve it. The Eminent Persons Group (EPG) report has been prepared too. The Government of Nepal (GoN) has to make the report public. We all are well aware of the treaty of 1950 and its contents regarding disputes, trade, and transport.  There is ample information available.

The meeting which took place at the Prime Minister’s residence garnered unanimous support, and we all are positive in our unity”.

“We must now take the issue up at a Ministerial level or at the Prime Ministerial level was our suggestion. The PM should move forward accordingly leaving aside partisan politics”.

“We have to devise a strategy and move forward with absolute unity in terms of security and foreign policy of the country. He said “previously during the time of elections people went to Delhi to seek support, and parties were involved in a game of toppling the government. This was politically incorrect and we invited intervention for ourselves. We have to improve as political parties.

We cannot take support from foreign sources. We have to involve academicians, skilled diplomats, and civil society in order to have a clear framework. It would provide a holistic vision. It will be beneficial for our future if we take this path, and it will be a new setup in our foreign policy. The Prime Minister has to initiate a dialogue, and we have to get our lands back”.