Lower House of Nepali Parliament unanimously backs Map Amendment Bill
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The Nepali govt last month released a new map which showed Indian territories of Lipulekh, Kalapani, Limpiyadhura as its own.
The bill to amend Nepal's political map in the coat of arms got a unanimous backing on Tuesday in the lower house of the Nepali Parliament. All parties including the ruling Nepal Communist Party, the largest opposition Nepali Congress and the third-largest Janata Samajbadi Party supported it.
The Nepali govt last month released a new map which showed Indian territories of Lipulekh, Kalapani, Limpiyadhura as its own. While that was an executive act, the changing of the coat of arms --which has Nepali Map needs to happen by amendment of the constitution.
Nepal foreign and defence minister both spoke in Nepal's lower house ahead of the discussions. Nepal's FM Pradeep Gyawali recalled the treaty of sanguli and while elaborating the current border row with India said, "would like to diplomatically resolve border row with India"
Under the treaty of Sanguli signed between Kathmandu and British Raj in 1800, India's border with Nepal in the eastern part is decided by river Kali, but towards its origin, the current issue remains.
The bill has got the backing and within 72 hours any MP has to raise objections. Once it gets 2/3rd majority after the 72 hours, it will be passed in the lower house.
Once passed, it will go to the upper house of the Nepali Parliament--the national assembly where the same procedure will be followed. After passage in the upper house and accent by the Nepali President, the law or the amendment will come into force giving constitutional backing to the Nepal Map which is at the heart of diplomatic row with India.
Nepal is keen for foreign secretary-level talks on the issue and while the Indian government has said it is open to talks but an "environment of trust and confidence" needs to be built.
The ministry of external affairs last week said, "India is open to engaging with all its neighbours on the basis of mutual sensitivity and mutual respect, in an environment of trust and confidence. This is a continuous process and requires constructive and positive efforts." MEA also said that it continues to "monitor the situation in Nepal"
The map row broke after India's defence minister inaugurated a road till Lipulekh which Nepal says is its own territory. It was followed by Nepal FM Pradeep Kumar Gyawali meeting Indian envoy to Nepal Vinay Mohan Kwatra and Nepali Foreign Ministery and ruling party Nepal Communist Party issued a strongly worded release protesting the new road built by India that will reduce the time for Indian pilgrims to go for Mansarovar Yatra in Tibet, China. It was followed by a protest by India who reminded Kathmandu that it is Indian territory.
