Kathmandu, November 9

Political leaders and foreign policy experts, who attended an all-party meeting called by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli this evening, advised the PM to seek diplomatic solution with India on Kalapani issue.

Recently, India had published its political map depicting Kalapani region as its territory.

Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a press release on November 6, saying it was clear about the fact that Kalapani region belonged to Nepal.

Nepali Congress Spokesperson Bishwa Prakash Sharma wrote in his twitter post that NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba told the all-party meet that Kalapani region, including the place where Indian security forces had their post, belonged to Nepal.

Deuba also told the meeting that the river flowing from the west of Kalapani was the Mahakali River and the government had to initiate high level diplomatic and political efforts to get those areas back.

NC leader Ram Sharan Mahat, who attended the meeting told The Himalayan Times that political leaders had told the PM that Kalapani area was Nepal’s territory and it was the right time for the government to seek political and diplomatic solution to the issue.

In the meeting, the prime minster told participants that he would seek solution to resolve the issue with India respecting the sentiments expressed by the citizens of the country, according to NC leader Mahat.

According to a press release issued by Samajwadi Party-Nepal, its leader Baburam Bhattarai, who is also former prime minister, said Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli should himself take initiative to resolve the border issue with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.

Bhattarai said the Eminent Persons Group’s report on multiple aspects of Nepal India relations could be appropriate reference to resolve outstanding issues with India.

He also said a high level bilateral commission should be formed to resolve boundary issues with India. Bhattarai said it would be in the country’s interest to resolve the boundary issues with India without delay instead of prolonging the issue.

According to Rastriya Prajatantra Party (United) leader Prakash Chandra Lohani , he advised the government in the meeting to seek diplomatic solution with India on Kalapani issue.

“Kalapani issue is an issue of sovreignty and Nepal should not abandon its claim even for one inch of its territory,” he said.

Lohani said the government should also hold talks at the secretary level with India to resolve the issue.