MEA asserts: Nepal's 'artificial enlargements' of territorial claims not acceptable

In response to media queries on the revised map of Nepal released by Government of Nepal, the MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said: " The Government of Nepal has released a revised official map of Nepal today that includes parts of Indian territory. This unilateral act is not based on historical facts and evidence. It is contrary to the bilateral understanding to resolve the outstanding boundary issues through diplomatic dialogue. Such artificial enlargement of territorial claims will not be accepted by India.

"Nepal is well aware of India’s consistent position on this matter and we urge the Government of Nepal to refrain from such unjustified cartographic assertion and respect India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We hope that the Nepalese leadership will create a positive atmosphere for diplomatic dialogue to resolve the outstanding boundary issues."


Earlier in the day, Nepal government launched a new map at a media conference in Kathmandu.
Nepal Minister of Land Management Padma Kumari Aryal said on the occasion that the government of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is committed to protecting the territorial integrity of the country.

“It is a historic moment of happiness for the people of Nepal. The government of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli will uphold the prestige of Nepal. We will publish the new map and make it a part of the school textbooks,” she said.

India said Nepal government should return to the dialogue process.

Incidentally and not without reasons, the release of the new map took place close on the heels of Nepal Prime Minister Oli targeted India for alleged attempts at regional domination.

The diplomatic row began on May 8 after defence minister Rajnath Singh opened an 80-km road that ends at Lipulekh Pass on the border with China. The road was built so that pilgrims going to Kailash-Mansarovar in the Tibet Autonomous Region can avoid dangerous high-altitude routes through Sikkim and Nepal.

Nepal’s foreign ministry summoned the Indian envoy recently and registered its protest against the construction of the road. India has had the charge saying Lipulekh is “completely within the territory of India”.