India and Nepal on Monday held the 8th round of the Oversight Mechanism (OSM) meet through Video Conferencing. The talks were led by Indian Envoy to Nepal Vinay Mohan Kwatra and Nepal government Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi.

During the talks, the status of implementation of the on-going projects was discussed including the Ramayana circuit.&nbsp;

Development of Terai roads, cross-border railways, Arun-III hydropower project, Pancheshwar multipurpose project, irrigation, power and transmission lines, construction of Nepal Police Academy, motorable bridges over Mahakali River are some of the other projects discussed during the OSM.

Both sides also discussed the reconstruction of 46,301 earthquakes affected houses in Gorkha and Nuwakot districts, the operationalization of Motihari-Amlekhgunj cross-border petroleum products pipeline and the Integrated Check Post at Biratnagar.&nbsp;

Motihari-Amlekhgunj oil pipeline is the first cross country oil pipeline in South Asia.&nbsp;

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-nepal-vow-to-expeditiously-implement-bilateral-projects-during-high-level-talks-321126">&nbsp;India, Nepal vow to 'expeditiously' implement bilateral projects during high-level talks</a>

The Indian government's readout on the meet said, "Nepal also noted with appreciation COVID-19 related assistance, including the supply of medicines and medical equipment to Nepal by India."

The Nepali foreign ministry said, "Both sides underlined the need for the expeditious implementation of the bilateral projects" and "In that connection, they agreed to undertake necessary measures to timely address problems and obstacles in the course of implementation."

OSM was set up after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Nepal visit in 2016 to oversee the implementation of bilateral projects.&nbsp;

This is the first formal meeting between the two sides amidst a strain in relationship. Nepal government had come up with new Nepal map showing Indian territories as its own territories irking Indian government which ruptured ties between the two countries.&nbsp;

Border issues was not discussed in monday meeting. This was expected, given the mandate of the mechanism is to discuss development projects.

India and Nepal on Monday held the 8th round of the Oversight Mechanism (OSM) meet through Video Conferencing. The talks were led by Indian Envoy to Nepal Vinay Mohan Kwatra and Nepal government Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi.

India and Nepal on Monday held the 8th round of the Oversight Mechanism (OSM) meet through Video Conferencing. The talks were led by Indian Envoy to Nepal Vinay Mohan Kwatra and Nepal government Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi. During the talks, the status of implementation of the on-going projects was discussed including the Ramayana circuit. Development of Terai roads, cross-border railways, Arun-III hydropower project, Pancheshwar multipurpose project, irrigation, power and transmission lines, construction of Nepal Police Academy, motorable bridges over Mahakali River are some of the other projects discussed during the OSM. Both sides also discussed the reconstruction of 46,301 earthquakes affected houses in Gorkha and Nuwakot districts, the operationalization of Motihari-Amlekhgunj cross-border petroleum products pipeline and the Integrated Check Post at Biratnagar. Motihari-Amlekhgunj oil pipeline is the first cross country oil pipeline in South Asia. Also read: India, Nepal vow to 'expeditiously' implement bilateral projects during high-level talks The Indian government's readout on the meet said, "Nepal also noted with appreciation COVID-19 related assistance, including the supply of medicines and medical equipment to Nepal by India." The Nepali foreign ministry said, "Both sides underlined the need for the expeditious implementation of the bilateral projects" and "In that connection, they agreed to undertake necessary measures to timely address problems and obstacles in the course of implementation." OSM was set up after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Nepal visit in 2016 to oversee the implementation of bilateral projects. This is the first formal meeting between the two sides amidst a strain in relationship. Nepal government had come up with new Nepal map showing Indian territories as its own territories irking Indian government which ruptured ties between the two countries. Border issues was not discussed in monday meeting. This was expected, given the mandate of the mechanism is to discuss development projects.

India, Nepal discuss Ramayana circuit and other development projects during meet

India and Nepal will sit on Monday to talk on the New Delhi's development projects in the country. Talks will start at 10 am local time in Kathmandu and last for 2 hours to finish at 12 noon.

India and Nepal will sit on Monday to talk on the New Delhi's development projects in the country. Talks will start at 10 am local time in Kathmandu and last for 2 hours to finish at 12 noon. This will be the first formal talks between the two sides amidst strained ties. Border row will not be discussed in the meet, since the talks do not have the mandate for it. The "scheduled oversight mechanism" as the talks are referred as will see India being represented by its envoy in Kathmandu Vinay Mohan Kwatra and Nepal by Foreign Secretary Shankar Das Bairagi. Indian government sources said the meet is "part of regular interaction between India and Nepal" and the mechanism was set up in 2016 to "review ongoing bilateral economic and development projects on a periodic basis". On Saturday both Indian PM Modi and Nepal PM Oli spoke to each other, first time in months as ties deteriorated after new Nepal Map. The Nepal Map showed Indian territories as Nepali territories irking New Delhi. The talks, at the request of Nepali PM, focused on COVID crisis. Prime Minister offered India’s "continued support to Nepal in this regard", Indian govt readout on the talks said. Indian PM "recalled the civilizational and cultural links that India and Nepal share", something New Delhi has been emphasising even as government to government talks went downhill. Nepal PM conveyed his congratulations for India’s recent election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

India, Nepal to hold talks on New Delhi's projects tomorrow

Nepal is landlocked between two Asian giants surrounded by India on three sides. It has been more of a boon than a bane for Nepal.

New Delhi has been Kathmandu's biggest development and trade partner but in recent months but&nbsp;PM Oli seems to want to burn all bridges.

Nepal shares 1,850 km-long border with India. There are nearly 20 trade points along the line from Mechi in the east to Makahli in the west.

It stands as a testimony to Nepal's reliance on India with 64 per cent of Kathmandu's total trade India is Nepal's biggest trading partner.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-can-nepal-afford-to-burn-bridges-with-india-313099/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Nepal imports crucial products from India namely petrol, oil and lubricants including iron, steel, cement, machinery, pharmaceuticals. India also allows informal or non-tariff trade in the Terai region especially for goods produced in the border states of UP, Bihar and West Bengal.

Sixty per cent of Nepal's exports and imports are handled by Indian ports in Haldia and Vishakhapatnam. India has also agreed to give Nepal access to its Dharma and Mundra ports. Nepal, therefore, relies on India for access to the sea. It also depends on India for employment.

Nearly 8 million Nepalese work in India. They are employed in various sectors both in formal and informal spheres and do not require work permits. Fifteen per cent of Nepal's total remittances come from India. It accounts for 4 to 5 per cent of Kathmandu's GDP, so far in 2020, Nepal has received $356.69 million in remittances from India.

India also helps in grooming Nepal's students with at least 12,800 Nepalese students enrolled in Indian universities who are eligible for fee waivers. India also allocates 3,000 ministry of external affairs scholarships to Nepal.

Also, 40,000 Nepalese nationals serve in the seven Gorkha regiments of the Indian army. They enjoy the same retirement benefits as their Indian counterparts. At least 80,000 Nepalese are currently on India's pension books. The Indian army also supports 11,000 widows of Nepalese soldiers and 17,000 retired soldiers from Assam Rifles.

India spends $12 billion in pension on Nepalese nationals every year. China, on the other hand, accounts for just 14 per cent of Nepal's trade with India at 64 per cent. The nearest Chinese port is three times the distance of Haldia. Also, studying in a Chinese university is a challenge for a Nepalese student given the fact that Mandarin is mostly the medium of instruction. There is also no guarantee the PLA will recruit Nepalese troops.

And about pensions, on that, the Dragon has no compassion.

Nepal is landlocked between two Asian giants surrounded by India on three sides. It has been more of a boon than a bane for Nepal. New Delhi has been Kathmandu's biggest development and trade partner but in recent months but PM Oli seems to want to burn all bridges.

Nepal is landlocked between two Asian giants surrounded by India on three sides. It has been more of a boon than a bane for Nepal. New Delhi has been Kathmandu's biggest development and trade partner but in recent months but PM Oli seems to want to burn all bridges. Nepal shares 1,850 km-long border with India. There are nearly 20 trade points along the line from Mechi in the east to Makahli in the west. It stands as a testimony to Nepal's reliance on India with 64 per cent of Kathmandu's total trade India is Nepal's biggest trading partner. Nepal imports crucial products from India namely petrol, oil and lubricants including iron, steel, cement, machinery, pharmaceuticals. India also allows informal or non-tariff trade in the Terai region especially for goods produced in the border states of UP, Bihar and West Bengal. Sixty per cent of Nepal's exports and imports are handled by Indian ports in Haldia and Vishakhapatnam. India has also agreed to give Nepal access to its Dharma and Mundra ports. Nepal, therefore, relies on India for access to the sea. It also depends on India for employment. Nearly 8 million Nepalese work in India. They are employed in various sectors both in formal and informal spheres and do not require work permits. Fifteen per cent of Nepal's total remittances come from India. It accounts for 4 to 5 per cent of Kathmandu's GDP, so far in 2020, Nepal has received $356.69 million in remittances from India. India also helps in grooming Nepal's students with at least 12,800 Nepalese students enrolled in Indian universities who are eligible for fee waivers. India also allocates 3,000 ministry of external affairs scholarships to Nepal. Also, 40,000 Nepalese nationals serve in the seven Gorkha regiments of the Indian army. They enjoy the same retirement benefits as their Indian counterparts. At least 80,000 Nepalese are currently on India's pension books. The Indian army also supports 11,000 widows of Nepalese soldiers and 17,000 retired soldiers from Assam Rifles. India spends $12 billion in pension on Nepalese nationals every year. China, on the other hand, accounts for just 14 per cent of Nepal's trade with India at 64 per cent. The nearest Chinese port is three times the distance of Haldia. Also, studying in a Chinese university is a challenge for a Nepalese student given the fact that Mandarin is mostly the medium of instruction. There is also no guarantee the PLA will recruit Nepalese troops. And about pensions, on that, the Dragon has no compassion.

PM Oli bets on China as India supplies fuel, recruits Nepal nationals in Army

Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has alleged that India wants to topple his government after he issued the new Nepal map that shows Indian territories of Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura as Nepali territories.&nbsp;

Speaking at an event in Kathmandu, Nepal PM said, "listen to the media in Delhi..activities have been stepped up in hotels and at the Indian mission (In Kathmandu) suggests what's happening... If anyone dreams of unseating the prime minister of this country for publishing the map and including the map in the constitution...Don't even think of it!"

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-to-reopen-its-second-border-point-with-china-for-supply-of-essential-goods-309055" hreflang="en">Nepal to reopen its second border point with China for supply of essential goods</a>

Calling it an&nbsp;attempt&nbsp;to overthrow this&nbsp;"illusion", Nepal PM highlighted how his government was toppled in the past for signing transit agreement with China.

The comments come&nbsp;amid mounting pressure on Oli&nbsp;within his party and in the country over failures at several fronts including inaction on dealing COVID crisis and&nbsp;corruption charges.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-21-patients-escape-covid-quarantine-facility-593-fresh-cases-recorded-308955" hreflang="en">Nepal: 21 patients escape COVID quarantine facility; 593 fresh cases recorded</a>

Their were several protest all across Nepal&nbsp;over many of these issues. At the standing committee meeting of the ruling Nepal communist party, Oli faced criticism from Pushpa Kamal Dahal who is the co-chair of the party.

Oli's comments against India are not new, and in the past, he as alleged the COVID cases in his country are due to the number of people coming from India to which New Delhi had expressed surprised. 
&nbsp;

Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has alleged that India wants to topple his government after he issued the new Nepal map that shows Indian territories of Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura as Nepali territories.

Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has alleged that India wants to topple his government after he issued the new Nepal map that shows Indian territories of Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura as Nepali territories. Speaking at an event in Kathmandu, Nepal PM said, "listen to the media in Delhi..activities have been stepped up in hotels and at the Indian mission (In Kathmandu) suggests what's happening... If anyone dreams of unseating the prime minister of this country for publishing the map and including the map in the constitution...Don't even think of it!" Also read: Nepal to reopen its second border point with China for supply of essential goods Calling it an attempt to overthrow this "illusion", Nepal PM highlighted how his government was toppled in the past for signing transit agreement with China. The comments come amid mounting pressure on Oli within his party and in the country over failures at several fronts including inaction on dealing COVID crisis and corruption charges. Also read: Nepal: 21 patients escape COVID quarantine facility; 593 fresh cases recorded Their were several protest all across Nepal over many of these issues. At the standing committee meeting of the ruling Nepal communist party, Oli faced criticism from Pushpa Kamal Dahal who is the co-chair of the party. Oli's comments against India are not new, and in the past, he as alleged the COVID cases in his country are due to the number of people coming from India to which New Delhi had expressed surprised.

India trying to topple Nepal's government, says Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli

There are millions of people in India who have ardent desire to visit this country for several reasons including historical ones.

Of course, there are some border disputes with India which are not new and can be sorted out with the Narendra Modi government, which would always want peaceful relations with Nepal. The present time is ideal for Nepal to sort out its issues with India. Instead, the Nepal government has chosen the path of confrontation, which is very unfortunate and certainly not in the interest of Nepal.

Today, even as most countries in the world feel concerned about the territorial expansion policies of China.

The enmity&nbsp;that the present government of Nepal has unwisely developed towards India is clearly evident from the series of actions that the Nepal government has taken during the last few weeks. It has unilaterally changed the map, claiming parts of India to belong to Nepal. The Nepal government has blocked the maintenance work in the embankment on Gandak&nbsp;Barrage, by putting up a barricade on its border with India. The Nepal government has declared that Nepalese man marrying a woman from outside the country would mean that the bride will not be recognized by the Nepal government for seven years.&nbsp;

People with an understanding of the ground realities would readily know that Nepal has nothing to gain by spoiling its relationship with India. Are such sane voices in Nepal heard adequately by the Nepalese government?

Considering the strange and quixotic behaviour of the Nepal government, many people think that the present rulers in Nepal are being guided by the Chinese government to pick up friction with India.

That would be the end of Nepal and gradually the country would become another Tibet. No well-wisher of Nepal anywhere in the world would like this to happen.

Nepal is a beautiful country with people known for several special and laudable attributes. It would be tragic if Nepal would go the Tibet way.

By their short-sighted approach, the present rulers in Nepal are making a historical mistake and one only hopes that they would realize this soon and ensure that further moves towards catastrophe would be checked. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

There are millions of people in India who have ardent desire to visit this country for several reasons including historical ones. Of course, there are some border disputes with India which are not new and can be sorted out with the Narendra Modi government, which would always want peaceful relations with Nepal.

There are millions of people in India who have ardent desire to visit this country for several reasons including historical ones. Of course, there are some border disputes with India which are not new and can be sorted out with the Narendra Modi government, which would always want peaceful relations with Nepal. The present time is ideal for Nepal to sort out its issues with India. Instead, the Nepal government has chosen the path of confrontation, which is very unfortunate and certainly not in the interest of Nepal. Today, even as most countries in the world feel concerned about the territorial expansion policies of China. The enmity that the present government of Nepal has unwisely developed towards India is clearly evident from the series of actions that the Nepal government has taken during the last few weeks. It has unilaterally changed the map, claiming parts of India to belong to Nepal. The Nepal government has blocked the maintenance work in the embankment on Gandak Barrage, by putting up a barricade on its border with India. The Nepal government has declared that Nepalese man marrying a woman from outside the country would mean that the bride will not be recognized by the Nepal government for seven years. People with an understanding of the ground realities would readily know that Nepal has nothing to gain by spoiling its relationship with India. Are such sane voices in Nepal heard adequately by the Nepalese government? Considering the strange and quixotic behaviour of the Nepal government, many people think that the present rulers in Nepal are being guided by the Chinese government to pick up friction with India. That would be the end of Nepal and gradually the country would become another Tibet. No well-wisher of Nepal anywhere in the world would like this to happen. Nepal is a beautiful country with people known for several special and laudable attributes. It would be tragic if Nepal would go the Tibet way. By their short-sighted approach, the present rulers in Nepal are making a historical mistake and one only hopes that they would realize this soon and ensure that further moves towards catastrophe would be checked. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Is Nepal going the Tibet way?

Nepal's Upper House on Thursday&nbsp;passed a controversial bill that claims Indian territories of Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura as its own.

The Constitution Amendment Bill will now go to the President, Bidhya Devi Bhandari, for her signature and then the new map will become part of the national emblem of Nepal. 
&nbsp; 
While India is facing China in Ladakh, a much smaller neighbour and a supposedly old friend, has claimed 335 kilometers&nbsp;of Indian territory. 
 
Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/after-india-nepal-risks-severing-ties-with-us-for-china-305468">After India, Nepal risks severing ties with US for China</a>

India considers Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura as part of Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district and now, Nepal has officially laid claim to these territories.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-hou-yanqi-the-architect-of-india-nepal-map-dispute-306944/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

It all began with Nepal objecting to a road built by India in this region. This was a new link road to Kailash Mansarovar that goes through the Lipulekh pass in Uttarakhand. The link road was inaugurated by defence minister Rajnath Singh last month, and just like China, Nepal grew suspicious about India's intentions.

India has managed and developed these areas for decades and never used them for military activities or to provoke Nepal, but despite this Kathmandu claims that India violated its territorial sovereignty. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepals-upper-house-passes-bill-to-update-map-that-includes-indian-territories-306754">Also Read: Nepal's Upper House passes bill to update map that includes Indian territories</a>

The government of Nepal is highly unstable due to constant infighting and there's a risk that the Nepal Communist Party may split. Factions within the party want the prime minister KP Sharma Oli to take a tough stand against India. To add to that, the prime minister is under fire for not doing enough to contain the Wuhan virus.

The Communist Party of China knows the pressure comrade Oli faces, so it has decided to micro-manage Nepal's affairs. Last month, the Chinese ambassador met several political stakeholders to settle the internal dispute and at the same time, the Chinese embassy fueled anti-India rhetoric.

This map move&nbsp;is only a preview of what's to come. A new report claims that foreign news channels may lose transmission rights in Nepal if they don't beam ad-free content. In other words, foreign TV channels will have to air content without any commercials.

Thousands of Nepalese viewers prefer Indian channels for entertainment, and now they may not receive permission to air permanently if Nepal goes ahead with this plan. By all means, no network will agree to such a policy because it is not economically viable.

&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Nepal's Upper House on Thursday passed a controversial bill that claims Indian territories of Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura as its own. The Constitution Amendment Bill will now go to the President, Bidhya Devi Bhandari, for her signature and then the new map will become part of the national emblem of Nepal.

Nepal's Upper House on Thursday passed a controversial bill that claims Indian territories of Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura as its own. The Constitution Amendment Bill will now go to the President, Bidhya Devi Bhandari, for her signature and then the new map will become part of the national emblem of Nepal. While India is facing China in Ladakh, a much smaller neighbour and a supposedly old friend, has claimed 335 kilometers of Indian territory. Also read: After India, Nepal risks severing ties with US for China India considers Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura as part of Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district and now, Nepal has officially laid claim to these territories. It all began with Nepal objecting to a road built by India in this region. This was a new link road to Kailash Mansarovar that goes through the Lipulekh pass in Uttarakhand. The link road was inaugurated by defence minister Rajnath Singh last month, and just like China, Nepal grew suspicious about India's intentions. India has managed and developed these areas for decades and never used them for military activities or to provoke Nepal, but despite this Kathmandu claims that India violated its territorial sovereignty. Also Read: Nepal's Upper House passes bill to update map that includes Indian territories The government of Nepal is highly unstable due to constant infighting and there's a risk that the Nepal Communist Party may split. Factions within the party want the prime minister KP Sharma Oli to take a tough stand against India. To add to that, the prime minister is under fire for not doing enough to contain the Wuhan virus. The Communist Party of China knows the pressure comrade Oli faces, so it has decided to micro-manage Nepal's affairs. Last month, the Chinese ambassador met several political stakeholders to settle the internal dispute and at the same time, the Chinese embassy fueled anti-India rhetoric. This map move is only a preview of what's to come. A new report claims that foreign news channels may lose transmission rights in Nepal if they don't beam ad-free content. In other words, foreign TV channels will have to air content without any commercials. Thousands of Nepalese viewers prefer Indian channels for entertainment, and now they may not receive permission to air permanently if Nepal goes ahead with this plan. By all means, no network will agree to such a policy because it is not economically viable.

Map move: Why is Nepal provoking India?

The Upper House of Nepal's Parliament will today vote on a constitution amendment Bill seeking approval for the country’s new map that includes territories with India.