How Nepal approved new map sidestepping India's offer to hold foreign secretary-level talks

Indian govt sources have said that they had offered foreign secretary-level talks with Nepal on boundary issue ahead of placing of New Nepal Map Coat of Arms Amendment bill but Nepal govt went ahead with it in the Parliament creating a "difficult situation".

Sources said, "As recently as the bill was tabled in the Parliament, we offered a foreign secretary-level phone call, video conference and also visits of twoforeign secretarieshowever the Nepali side did not respond to our offer and went ahead with the passing of the bill"

Adding, "We don't know why Nepal PM Oli and his govt did not inform the Parliament or Nepali people our offer of talks. This was offered".

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Over the weekend, the Constitutional Amendment bill to amend Nepal's political map in the country's coat of arms was presented in the upper house of Nepali Parliament and passed by the lower house. The new Nepali Map shows Indian territories of --Lipulekh, Kalapani, Limpiyadhura as its own.

Sources said, "Unilateral action of PM Oli and his administration to revise the map of Nepal without facts or pieces of evidence points to primary motivation that it is driven by domestic political agenda and it has created difficult situation and pre judged outcomes of any talks" and " it is up to them to create conducive and positive" atmosphere for further talks to take place"

India, Nepal shares 1750 kilometres of land and riverine border. In fact, Nepal's claim to Limpiyadhura was raised after 200 years. Meanwhile, strong intervention by the Indian mission in Nepal led to the release of Indian nationals taken in custody by Nepali forces. Friday saw the killing of one Indian national by Nepali forces at the border in what has been described as "local altercation".