Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent announcement to extend the road in the Lipulekh region has provoked outrage in Nepal with many top leaders calling the ongoing construction ‘illegal’.&nbsp;

During an election rally in the Haldwani area of Uttarakhand on December 30, Modi had announced that his government has extended a road to Lipulekh and further expansion work is going on.

Lipulekh, which lies at the tri-junction between India’s northern Uttarakhand state, China and Nepal, is claimed by Kathmandu.

Former prime minister and the senior leader of the CPN-Unified Socialist, Jhala Nath Khanal—one of the ruling alliances in the Nepal government—condemned the construction activity.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“The Indian government knows very well that the area of Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura are the sovereign territory of Nepal. Any development activity conducted there without consultation of the Nepalese government is totally illegal and it is a violation of our territorial integrity and national sovereignty,” he said in a statement.&nbsp;

He&nbsp;requested the government to take necessary measures to “protect the territory”.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/former-nepal-pm-oli-says-will-take-back-kalapani-limpiyadhura-and-lipulekh-territories-from-india-432435">Former Nepal PM Oli says ‘will take back’ Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh territories from India</a>

“Our party strongly condemns the ongoing road contraction by violating our security integrity and provocative statements on the part of the Indian leaders. We would like to request the government of Nepal to take necessary measures to protect our territory on the border,” the statement read.&nbsp;

Similarly, the main opposition, Nepal Communist Party-UML, also issued a similar statement, calling for “ending such activities that violate the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and self-respect of Nepal”.&nbsp;

The chief of the party’s foreign affairs wing, Rajan Bhattarai, urged the government to immediately engage in serious dialogue with India on the issue.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-issues-new-controversial-map-showing-indian-territory-as-its-own-299907">Nepal issues new, controversial map showing Indian territory as its own</a>

“CPN-UML unwaveringly believes that construction of roads and other structures should be stopped, the issue should be promptly resolved through dialogue and no structure should be built at the state level until resolution is reached through dialogue,” he said in the statement.

Bhattarai also raised concerns over the government’s silence on such serious issues that are related to the country’s territorial integrity.

The boundary dispute between the two nations erupted after India unveiled its new political map in November 2019.

Nepal protested after the Indian map showed Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura as part of its own territory.

Though both sides have vowed to settle the boundary dispute through diplomatic and political talks and channels, no concrete bilateral negotiations have taken place yet.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent announcement to extend the road in the Lipulekh region has provoked outrage in Nepal with many top leaders calling the ongoing construction ‘illegal’.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent announcement to extend the road in the Lipulekh region has provoked outrage in Nepal with many top leaders calling the ongoing construction ‘illegal’. During an election rally in the Haldwani area of Uttarakhand on December 30, Modi had announced that his government has extended a road to Lipulekh and further expansion work is going on. Lipulekh, which lies at the tri-junction between India’s northern Uttarakhand state, China and Nepal, is claimed by Kathmandu. Former prime minister and the senior leader of the CPN-Unified Socialist, Jhala Nath Khanal—one of the ruling alliances in the Nepal government—condemned the construction activity. “The Indian government knows very well that the area of Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura are the sovereign territory of Nepal. Any development activity conducted there without consultation of the Nepalese government is totally illegal and it is a violation of our territorial integrity and national sovereignty,” he said in a statement. He requested the government to take necessary measures to “protect the territory”. Also read | Former Nepal PM Oli says ‘will take back’ Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh territories from India “Our party strongly condemns the ongoing road contraction by violating our security integrity and provocative statements on the part of the Indian leaders. We would like to request the government of Nepal to take necessary measures to protect our territory on the border,” the statement read. Similarly, the main opposition, Nepal Communist Party-UML, also issued a similar statement, calling for “ending such activities that violate the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and self-respect of Nepal”. The chief of the party’s foreign affairs wing, Rajan Bhattarai, urged the government to immediately engage in serious dialogue with India on the issue. Also read | Nepal issues new, controversial map showing Indian territory as its own “CPN-UML unwaveringly believes that construction of roads and other structures should be stopped, the issue should be promptly resolved through dialogue and no structure should be built at the state level until resolution is reached through dialogue,” he said in the statement. Bhattarai also raised concerns over the government’s silence on such serious issues that are related to the country’s territorial integrity. The boundary dispute between the two nations erupted after India unveiled its new political map in November 2019. Nepal protested after the Indian map showed Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura as part of its own territory. Though both sides have vowed to settle the boundary dispute through diplomatic and political talks and channels, no concrete bilateral negotiations have taken place yet.

Indian PM's announcement to build road in Lipulekh provokes outrage in Nepal

Nepal has reportedly sought foreign secretary-level talks with India via video conferencing. However, it seems unlikely that India will agree at this stage when the Himalayan nation is all set to pass the Second Constitution Amendment Bill next week, which will give it a legal backing to the updated map that claims parts of the Indian territory.

Nepal watchers here in New Delhi believe India has always offered talks but this depends on reasonableness- if Nepal unilaterally prejudges the situation then it is willfully complicating the prospects of any settlements through talks.

Nepal has fast-tracked the process of bringing the constitution amendment. It is learned that KP Sharma Oli's government has secured the support of opposition Nepali Congress and is likely to pass the amendment with the desired two-third majority on June 9. Even if Madhesi parties oppose the move, numbers are stacked in favour of the amendment.

Tension has been mounting between India and Nepal after New Delhi inaugurated a road linking Kailash Mansarovar via Lipulekh on May 8 after which Nepal handed over a diplomatic note to India objecting to the move.

Diplomatic ties between the two nations frayed further after the issuance of a new updated map by Nepal on May 20.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-set-to-adopt-constitutional-amendment-on-june-9-to-give-legal-status-to-new-map-303865">Also read:&nbsp;Nepal set to adopt constitutional amendment on June 9 to give legal status to new map</a>

The controversial updated map includes Indian areas of Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura in its territory. New Delhi has said that the updated map is "not based on historical facts and evidence".

New Delhi urged Kathmandu to refrain from such an "unjustified cartographic assertion" and respect India's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

India had earlier said it attaches great importance to deep-rooted historical, cultural and friendly relations with Nepal.

New Delhi also said that it 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 it requires constructive and positive efforts. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also expressed hope that Nepali leadership creates a positive environment for talks on a matter related to the border.

India and Nepal share a 1,800km (1,118-mile) open border.

Nepal has reportedly sought foreign secretary-level talks with India via video conferencing. However, it seems unlikely that India will agree at this stage when the Himalayan nation is all set to pass the Second Constitution Amendment Bill next week, which will give it a legal backing to the updated map that claims parts of the Indian territory.

Nepal has reportedly sought foreign secretary-level talks with India via video conferencing. However, it seems unlikely that India will agree at this stage when the Himalayan nation is all set to pass the Second Constitution Amendment Bill next week, which will give it a legal backing to the updated map that claims parts of the Indian territory. Nepal watchers here in New Delhi believe India has always offered talks but this depends on reasonableness- if Nepal unilaterally prejudges the situation then it is willfully complicating the prospects of any settlements through talks. Nepal has fast-tracked the process of bringing the constitution amendment. It is learned that KP Sharma Oli's government has secured the support of opposition Nepali Congress and is likely to pass the amendment with the desired two-third majority on June 9. Even if Madhesi parties oppose the move, numbers are stacked in favour of the amendment. Tension has been mounting between India and Nepal after New Delhi inaugurated a road linking Kailash Mansarovar via Lipulekh on May 8 after which Nepal handed over a diplomatic note to India objecting to the move. Diplomatic ties between the two nations frayed further after the issuance of a new updated map by Nepal on May 20. Also read: Nepal set to adopt constitutional amendment on June 9 to give legal status to new map The controversial updated map includes Indian areas of Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura in its territory. New Delhi has said that the updated map is "not based on historical facts and evidence". New Delhi urged Kathmandu to refrain from such an "unjustified cartographic assertion" and respect India's sovereignty and territorial integrity. India had earlier said it attaches great importance to deep-rooted historical, cultural and friendly relations with Nepal. New Delhi also said that it 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 it requires constructive and positive efforts. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also expressed hope that Nepali leadership creates a positive environment for talks on a matter related to the border. India and Nepal share a 1,800km (1,118-mile) open border.

India-Nepal diplomatic row likely to escalate, no talks soon

Watch today in WION Dispatch: Diplomatic standoff has been intensified between India & Nepal over the link road to Lipulekh pass. News link road cuts travel for pilgrims by 3 days.

WION Dispatch: Nepal hands over demarche to Indian envoy

WION Dispatch: Diplomatic standoff intensifies between India & Nepal over link road to Lipulekh pass