Kathmandu: Nepalese Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali has said boundary issues should not impact other dynamics of Nepal-India ties.

Speaking at a meeting of the National Assembly on Monday, Gyawali said that the government is concerned about multi-faceted relations with India and that one particular issue revolving the boundary should not impact the overall status of Nepal’s ties with India.

Gyawali’s statement comes a day after Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli accused India of hatching plots to unseat him over his government's move of adopting a new map depicting Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura as Nepali territories. India claims these territories as its own.

“All the stakeholders should make contributions in building a positive tone in [bilateral] relations. No one should spread bitterness in the relationship,” he said. “I urge all to make positive contributions.”

Nepal-India relations have hit a new low lately ever since India in the first week of May opened a road link via Lipulekh to Kailash Mansarovar in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Nepal then released a new political map including Lipulekh as well as Kalapani and Limipiyadhura. The new map was subsequently adopted through the federal parliament by amending the constitution.

Delhi has objected to the move.

Gyawali said that diplomatic talks with India are possible in order to bring the lands occupied by India back.

“We are in touch with India,” said Gyawali. “We are committed to resolving this issue through talks and I am hopeful that we will be able to resolve it.”

He, however, did not elaborate on what steps the government, or his ministry for that matter, is taking to hold diplomatic talks with India.

“This dispute with India is a knot created by history and it was then handed down to us. And now we are dealing with it,” said Gyawali. “We will resolve the dispute but not by means of provocations and emotions.”

https://kathmandupost.com/national/2020/06/29/boundary-issue-should-not-impact-other-dynamics-of-nepal-india-ties-gyawali-says