FM Gyawali hands over diplomatic note on boundary issues to Indian Envoy Kwatra

KATHMANDU, May 11: Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali held a meeting with Indian Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra and conveyed Nepal’s position on the boundary issues, according to MoFA Nepal. Minister Gyawali also handed over a diplomatic note to Kwatra on that regard.

“Foreign Minister Hon. @PradeepgyawaliK conveyed Government of Nepal’s position on boundary issues to Ambassador of India to Nepal H.E. Mr. Vinay Mohan Kwatra at a meeting held at MoFA today and handed over a diplomatic note in this regard,” the MoFA tweeted.

Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday opened a 79-km long link road connecting to Lipulekh of Nepal which passes through Nepali territory Lipulekh, which has stirred uproar on the Nepali side against the Indian border encroachment yet again.

Nepal has consistently maintained that Lipulekh the territories east of Mahakali river including Limpiyadhura, Kalapani and Lipu Lekh belong to Nepal as per the 1816 Sugauli Treaty.

Following the announcement of the formal opening of the 79-km long link road, the MoFA Nepal slammed the Indian government’s move as a “unilateral act that is against the understanding reached between the two countries that a solution to boundary issues would be sought through negotiation.”

“The Government of Nepal remains committed to seek a diplomatic solution to boundary issues on the basis of the historical treaty, documents, facts and maps in keeping with the spirit of close and friendly ties between the two countries,” the MoFA stated calling upon the Indian government to refrain from carrying out any activity inside the territory of Nepal.”

But, India, in response, has claimed that the road section lies in the territory of India.