KATHMANDU, JANUARY 16
The Government of Nepal has officially responded to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent statement concerning Lipulekh.
Government spokesperson, Minister for Information Technology and Communications Gyandendra Bahadur Karki said that the Nepal Government is absolutely clear and firm on the fact that Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani that lie to the east of Mahakali River are integral terrains of Nepal.
Speaking at a presser organised at the Ministry of Information Technology and Communications, Karki further said that the government has been urging the Indian government to not proceed with the unilateral construction or extension of roads in Nepali territory.
He also stated that the incumbent government is committed to resolve existing issues between the two countries including the border-dispute through diplomatic channels and by means of historical treaties, maps and relavant evidences concerning the same.
Pressure was building on Deuba government to make an official statement as Modi's statement had provoked much outrage in Nepal.
Recently, parties in opposition and ruling-alliance partners including Nepali Congress had condemned India's unilateral move to expand roads in Nepali territory. However, the government was yet to announce its official stance on the matter.
The Indian Prime Minister while addressing a rally on December 30 in the state of Uttarakhand had announced that the government had constructed a road in Lipulekh while some expansion works are also being carried out.
Meanwhile, spokesperson for the Embassy of India in Nepal Naveen Kumar said on Saturday that the Government of India's position on the India-Nepal boundary is well-known, consistent, and unambiguous.
