A landmark event

On/Off the Record

A landmark event

By P.R. Pradhan

All the political parties in the federal parliament have unanimously endorsed the amendment of the constitution for changing Nepal’s map in the emblem. An amended political map of the country incorporating the Kalapani-Limpiyuadhara territory will be placed in the emblem. The parliament exhibited an unique unity among the political parties on the cause of nation’s territorial integrity. If such an unity will be performed in the days to come, we are confident that India should quit the Kalapani territory occupied after a humiliating defeat on war with China in 1962.

No doubt, Kalapani-Limpiyuadhara is the Nepali territory and the Indians had taken temporary shelter after receiving permission for keeping her military post for the time being. Nepal had given the territory as shelter to the Indian military force temporarily at a time when they were desperate, troubled and humiliated after shameful defeat on war with China.

Amendment of the constitution is a big and historical achievement made by the government led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and also an issue of glory for all the Nepalis.

We know, India is forcefully occupying the territory and she, said to be the largest democracy, is not responding the fact that the entire parliament members representing different ideologies and political parties have endorsed the amendment bill unanimously.

We know, Indians had tried to stop Nepal’s initiative of publishing new political map incorporating the Kalapani territory but they became unsuccessful to create differences among the political parties here on which they have invested a huge amount of money for decades.

We are also informed that the Indians are playing within the Nepal Communist Party to topple down K.P. Sharma Oli by using Madhav Nepal and Pushpakamal Dahal Prachanda. Indians have analysed that Nepal or Dahal are less harmful for them.

Let’s wait and see what will be the next move of the Indians in Nepali politics!

China’s indifference role:

Somehow, China is also involved in the ongoing Nepal-India border dispute on the issue of origin of the Kali (Mahakali) River. According to Professor Dr Bidhya Bir Singh Kanshakar, researcher, on 4 October 1961, Nepal’s King Mahendra and Chinese President Liu Shaoqi signed the first border agreement between Nepal and China. The agreement has defined Kali River, Tinker River and Mapchu (Karnali) River as the borderline between Nepal and China. Limpiyuadhara has been identified as the origin of Kali River and tri-junction point between Nepal, India and China.

On 20 January, 1963, Nepal-China Boundary Protocol was signed between the two countries, in this also, Limpiyuadhara is identified as the tri-junction point among Nepal, India and China.

How the Chinese government, by neglecting the previous boundary agreements, signed an agreement with India for opening trade route via Kalapani, it is very much surprising. In 2015, when India and China inked the agreement, the Nepal government had sent protest notes to India and China as well. We still remember, the then Prime Minister late Kirtinidhi Bista, known as China friendly political leader, had written a strong write-up urging China to scrap the agreement with India immediately.

China’s present stance has puzzled the Nepali intellectuals and media as well. Naya Patrika daily has developed a long story quoting former diplomats that in issues related to Nepal and India, the Chinese side has always maintained indifference as China is eying on huge Indian market for her products.

Recently, the Chinese government has made clear that the Kalapani border dispute is the issue between Nepal and India.

“The issue of Kalapani is between Nepal and India. We hope the two countries will resolve their differences properly through friendly consultations and refrain from taking any unilateral action that may complicate the situation,” said Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry at a regular press briefing in Beijing recently.

China, so far, has recognized that there is dispute between Nepal and India on the Kalapani territory, then, why China signed the agreement to open proposed trade route between India and China by undermining the past border agreement held between Nepal and China, it is seriously objectionable for Nepal.

China doesn’t need to take Nepal’s side but should speak the fact in accordance to the 1816 Sugauli Treaty and other historical documents including maps developed by China in different periods. Nepali people hope that China should not implement the agreement on open up of the trade point via the Kalapani-Limpiadhura territory, neither allow the Indians to travel to Mansorobar via Lipulekh.

(People’s Review Print Edition)