A lot has happened in Nepal over the weekend -- the controversial map bill has been fast-tracked,&nbsp;New Delhi has offered to solve the dispute through dialogue. The anti-India sentiments gave way to anti-govt protests, and Kathmandu has released details of its coronavirus expenses.

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The anti-government protests increased in the country as the Nepal government was blamed for not doing enough to contain the outbreak. The government&nbsp;has been accused of misusing relief money. The government further faced immense criticism for responding to the protests with force and violence, and detaining dozens of demonstrators, including&nbsp;several foreign citizens.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/nepal/hundreds-protest-against-nepals-coronavirus-response-7-foreigners-arrested-305599">Also read|&nbsp;Hundreds protest against Nepal's coronavirus response; 7 foreigners arrested</a>

Nepal says that foreign powers are apparently trying to interfere in its internal matters, but the protests seem to bearing fruit.

The Nepal government has been forced to make public the details of its coronavirus expenses.

According to the details, the federal and provincial governments have apparently spent 8 billion rupees in dealing with the pandemic.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indo-nepal-ties-not-ordinary-no-power-in-the-world-can-break-it-rajnath-singh-305948">Also read|&nbsp;Indo-Nepal ties not ordinary, no power in the world can break it: Rajnath Singh</a>

Map politics

As we all know, Nepal wants to update its map to include the disputed territories of Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura.

On Saturday, the lower house of the Nepal parliament unanimously voted in favour of altering the map. Atleast 258 out of 275 lawmakers are said to have voted in favour of the constitution amendment bill.

On Sunday, the bill reached the upper house and a&nbsp;proposal to discuss the amendment bill for approval was unanimously endorsed.

The discussion is expected to go on for 72 hours, and the outcome will be declared by Thursday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/new-delhi-expresses-surprise-at-nepal-pm-olis-distorted-comments-on-covid-surge-in-country-due-to-india-306073">Also read|&nbsp;New Delhi expresses surprise at Nepal PM Oli's 'distorted' comments on Covid surge in country due to India</a>

Happenings at Delhi

The Defence Minister of India Rajnath Singh has categorically stated that any misunderstanding with Nepal will be sorted only through dialogue. He even used a famous adage to describe India's ties with Nepal. He called the bilateral relationship "roti-beti ka rishta", which in simpler words means it's like a relationship between two families.

The two countries indeed have shared excellent bilateral ties. However, situation suddenly became very tense during the pandemic.

On May 08, the Indian Defence Minister virtually inaugurated a new 80-kilometre long road in the Himalayas. This road was built along the India-China border at the Lipulekh pass.

Three days later, on May 11,&nbsp;Kathmandu protested and contended that the road crosses territory it claims.

It accused India of changing the status quo and summoned the Indian ambassador to Kathmandu.

Nepal's actions were followed by some remarks by the Indian army chief on May 15.

Without taking any names, army chief M.M Naravane said that Nepal was doing what it was doing at someone else's behest -- a&nbsp;subtle reference to the growing influence of China in Nepal.

What followed was an endless war-of-words. The Prime Minister of Nepal unleashed a torren of invectives against India. He took jibes at the Indian motto of 'satyamev jayate' ---- truth prevails. Prime Minister K.P Oli said that India was not living up to this motto.

Its been less than a month and now his government is on the verge of passing a constitutional amendment to alter its official map.

If this continues, a possible dispute between India and Nepal will further put the stability of this region at risk. So,&nbsp;New Delhi and Kathmandu need to think out of the box and find a practical solution.

A lot has happened in Nepal over the weekend -- the controversial map bill has been fast-tracked, New Delhi has offered to solve the dispute through dialogue. The anti-India sentiments gave way to anti-govt protests, and Kathmandu has released details of its coronavirus expenses.

A lot has happened in Nepal over the weekend -- the controversial map bill has been fast-tracked, New Delhi has offered to solve the dispute through dialogue. The anti-India sentiments gave way to anti-govt protests, and Kathmandu has released details of its coronavirus expenses. The anti-government protests increased in the country as the Nepal government was blamed for not doing enough to contain the outbreak. The government has been accused of misusing relief money. The government further faced immense criticism for responding to the protests with force and violence, and detaining dozens of demonstrators, including several foreign citizens. Also read| Hundreds protest against Nepal's coronavirus response; 7 foreigners arrested Nepal says that foreign powers are apparently trying to interfere in its internal matters, but the protests seem to bearing fruit. The Nepal government has been forced to make public the details of its coronavirus expenses. According to the details, the federal and provincial governments have apparently spent 8 billion rupees in dealing with the pandemic. Also read| Indo-Nepal ties not ordinary, no power in the world can break it: Rajnath Singh Map politics As we all know, Nepal wants to update its map to include the disputed territories of Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura. On Saturday, the lower house of the Nepal parliament unanimously voted in favour of altering the map. Atleast 258 out of 275 lawmakers are said to have voted in favour of the constitution amendment bill. On Sunday, the bill reached the upper house and a proposal to discuss the amendment bill for approval was unanimously endorsed. The discussion is expected to go on for 72 hours, and the outcome will be declared by Thursday. Also read| New Delhi expresses surprise at Nepal PM Oli's 'distorted' comments on Covid surge in country due to India Happenings at Delhi The Defence Minister of India Rajnath Singh has categorically stated that any misunderstanding with Nepal will be sorted only through dialogue. He even used a famous adage to describe India's ties with Nepal. He called the bilateral relationship "roti-beti ka rishta", which in simpler words means it's like a relationship between two families. The two countries indeed have shared excellent bilateral ties. However, situation suddenly became very tense during the pandemic. On May 08, the Indian Defence Minister virtually inaugurated a new 80-kilometre long road in the Himalayas. This road was built along the India-China border at the Lipulekh pass. Three days later, on May 11, Kathmandu protested and contended that the road crosses territory it claims. It accused India of changing the status quo and summoned the Indian ambassador to Kathmandu. Nepal's actions were followed by some remarks by the Indian army chief on May 15. Without taking any names, army chief M.M Naravane said that Nepal was doing what it was doing at someone else's behest -- a subtle reference to the growing influence of China in Nepal. What followed was an endless war-of-words. The Prime Minister of Nepal unleashed a torren of invectives against India. He took jibes at the Indian motto of 'satyamev jayate' ---- truth prevails. Prime Minister K.P Oli said that India was not living up to this motto. Its been less than a month and now his government is on the verge of passing a constitutional amendment to alter its official map. If this continues, a possible dispute between India and Nepal will further put the stability of this region at risk. So, New Delhi and Kathmandu need to think out of the box and find a practical solution.

On a shaky ground: India Nepal dispute put the stability of the region at risk

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday said it has noted Nepal Parliament's Lower House passing a constitutional amendment bill to update the country's new political map, laying claim over the strategically key areas of Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura along the border with India.

MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said that the move is violative of the current understanding to hold talks on outstanding boundary issues, adding the government has already made its position clear on the matter.

India has been maintaining that these three areas belong to it.

"We have noted that the House of Representatives of Nepal has passed a constitution amendment bill for changing the map of Nepal to include parts of Indian territory. We have already made our position clear on this matter," the spokesperson said.&nbsp;

"This artificial enlargement of claims is not based on historical fact or evidence and is not tenable. It is also violative of our current understanding to hold talks on outstanding boundary issues."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/lower-house-of-nepal-parliament-unanimously-passes-bill-to-back-new-controversial-map-305625">Also read |&nbsp;Lower House of Nepal Parliament unanimously passes bill to back new controversial map</a>

A two-thirds majority was required in the 275-member House of Representatives or the lower house to pass the bill.

Major Opposition parties including Nepali Congress (NC), Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal (RJP-N) and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) voted in favour of the government bill to amend Schedule 3 of the Constitution to update the national emblem by incorporating the new controversial map.

On June 9, the Parliament unanimously endorsed a proposal to consider the Constitution amendment bill to pave way for endorsing the new political map amid the border row with India.

Now, the bill will be sent to the National Assembly where it will undergo a similar process. The ruling Nepal Communist Party commands two-thirds majority in the National Assembly. 
The NA will have to give lawmakers 72 hours to move amendments against the bill's provisions, if any.

After the National Assembly passes the bill, it will be submitted to the President for authentication, after which the bill will be incorporated in the Constitution.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/after-india-nepal-risks-severing-ties-with-us-for-china-305468">Also read |&nbsp;After India, Nepal risks severing ties with US for China</a>

The government on Wednesday formed a nine-member team of experts to collect historical facts and evidence related to the area.

Diplomats and experts, however, questioned the government's move, asking why the task force was formed when the map has already been released and approved by the Cabinet.

The ties between India and Nepal came under strain after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a 80-km-long strategically crucial road connecting the Lipulekh pass with Dharchula in Uttarakhand on May 8.

Nepal reacted sharply to the inauguration of the road claiming that it passed through Nepalese territory. India rejected the claim asserting that the road lies completely within its territory.

Nepal last month released the revised political and administrative map of the country laying claim over the strategically key areas. India has been maintaining that these three areas belonged to it.

India sternly asked Nepal not to resort to any "artificial enlargement" of territorial claims after Kathmandu released the new map.

(with inputs from agencies)

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday said it has noted Nepal Parliament's Lower House passing a constitutional amendment bill to update the country's new political map, laying claim over the strategically key areas of Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura along the border with India.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday said it has noted Nepal Parliament's Lower House passing a constitutional amendment bill to update the country's new political map, laying claim over the strategically key areas of Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura along the border with India. MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said that the move is violative of the current understanding to hold talks on outstanding boundary issues, adding the government has already made its position clear on the matter. India has been maintaining that these three areas belong to it. "We have noted that the House of Representatives of Nepal has passed a constitution amendment bill for changing the map of Nepal to include parts of Indian territory. We have already made our position clear on this matter," the spokesperson said. "This artificial enlargement of claims is not based on historical fact or evidence and is not tenable. It is also violative of our current understanding to hold talks on outstanding boundary issues." Also read | Lower House of Nepal Parliament unanimously passes bill to back new controversial map A two-thirds majority was required in the 275-member House of Representatives or the lower house to pass the bill. Major Opposition parties including Nepali Congress (NC), Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal (RJP-N) and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) voted in favour of the government bill to amend Schedule 3 of the Constitution to update the national emblem by incorporating the new controversial map. On June 9, the Parliament unanimously endorsed a proposal to consider the Constitution amendment bill to pave way for endorsing the new political map amid the border row with India. Now, the bill will be sent to the National Assembly where it will undergo a similar process. The ruling Nepal Communist Party commands two-thirds majority in the National Assembly. The NA will have to give lawmakers 72 hours to move amendments against the bill's provisions, if any. After the National Assembly passes the bill, it will be submitted to the President for authentication, after which the bill will be incorporated in the Constitution. Also read | After India, Nepal risks severing ties with US for China The government on Wednesday formed a nine-member team of experts to collect historical facts and evidence related to the area. Diplomats and experts, however, questioned the government's move, asking why the task force was formed when the map has already been released and approved by the Cabinet. The ties between India and Nepal came under strain after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a 80-km-long strategically crucial road connecting the Lipulekh pass with Dharchula in Uttarakhand on May 8. Nepal reacted sharply to the inauguration of the road claiming that it passed through Nepalese territory. India rejected the claim asserting that the road lies completely within its territory. Nepal last month released the revised political and administrative map of the country laying claim over the strategically key areas. India has been maintaining that these three areas belonged to it. India sternly asked Nepal not to resort to any "artificial enlargement" of territorial claims after Kathmandu released the new map. (with inputs from agencies)

India rejects Nepal Parliament's Lower House passing bill to redraw political map

Nepal Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ishwar Pokhrel on Tuesday said that his country would solve the border issue with India through dialogue and there is no sense in deploying the army.

Nepal will solve border issue with India through dialogue