Nepal Former Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal on Sunday said Nepal is an independent country and did not act at the behest of China or any other country on the border issue and called the reports "a flagrant violation".&nbsp;

Khanal spoke to WION’s Nepal Correspondent Saloni Murarka on the India-Nepal border issue. He was the first leader to break silence after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced road construction in the Lipulekh area, which has stirred an outrage in the Himalayan nation.&nbsp;

WION: Why do you think the border issue keeps coming back between two strong allies even when talks take place on further strengthening ties?

Former PM Khanal: All Indian people and the Indian government know that Limpiyadhura, Kalapani, and Lipulekh are inalienable parts of Nepal. It is the eastern part of the Mahakali River. The Mahakali River forms the western border of Nepal. The Lipulekh is not part of the border between Nepal and India; it is an internal part of Nepal. The river coming from Lipulekh is an internal Nepal river. There is a branch of the Mahakali river, one tributary, but that Mahakali river comes from Limpyadhura. How could India build a road without the consultation of Nepal and without any treaty with Nepal? It is not good for any of the neighbouring countries. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nepal-govt-urges-india-to-stop-construction-at-lipulekh-border-445298">Also read | Nepal govt urges India to stop construction at Lipulekh border</a>

WION: India has once again made its position clear on border issue, any comment?&nbsp;

Former PM Khanal: If India clarifies its position, it makes it more unclear because the facts speak the truth, not any speech by anybody. But where is the border :- we should go there, we should study, collect the facts and find out the truth. I also would like to call on Indian people, intellectuals, officials, and experts to study the Sugauli treay-what it says and what is the western border according to the treaty. They should study. And there are some joint mechanisms between India and Nepal that are even related to the border problems. That mechanism should be called as soon as possible to fix a meeting and should find out the facts. This type of problem should be solved.

WION: It is said that Nepal is creating a border issue with India at the behest of China. What do you have to say?&nbsp;

Former PM Khanal: It is a flagrant violation of the relationship between neighbors. It is a lie. Nepal is an independent country and it doesn't work on behalf of any country, neither India nor China. It's an independent country; our foreign policy is based on non-alignment. We don't want to align with any country in the world, but we want to be independent forever. We don't want to bow down to any power. The Indian government should also know this. We are ready to fight for our independence, for our sovereignty. We are not creating this problem; this problem is being created by the Indian government. This was the reality according to the Sugauli treaty. Is the Indian government ready to honour the Sugauli treaty or not? That is the main question. Let us study. We are neighbors, we are friends, but we should not create any misunderstandings because the border problem is very sensitive. It touches the sentiments of both nations.&nbsp;

WION: What is the Nepal government led by PM Sher Bahadur Deuba’s strategy to deal with the issue?&nbsp;

Former PM Khanal: I have already cleared my party position and other party has cleared their positions, that is I think the position of Nepal, we have already made a consensus in the period of past government. All party had met on this issue, we have consensus that Nepal's western border is up to Limpiyadura. Limpiyadura, Kalapani and Lipulekh are inalienable part of Nepal since the time of Sugauli treaty this is the position of Nepal, all party has agreed on it.

WION: As talks between both countries were postponed earlier due to COVID-19, and again the world has been hit by the third wave of COVID, if not diplomatic talks, then what next steps will Nepal take?&nbsp;

Former PM Khanal: First of all, at this time, if we cannot sit together physically, then science and technology have developed. Why can’t our PM of Nepal and the Indian PM sit together and talk? Why not Foreign Ministers of both countries and related officials sit together in their positions and talk about the problem? It must be solved. There is no alternative. We have to solve it through dialogue, friendly, peaceful means, and scientific methods.

WION: Why didn’t we see same level of reaction from the Nepali Political parties when Chinese encroached into Nepalese territories like in the case with India?&nbsp;

Former PM Khanal: Nepal and China had already fixed their borders in the 1960s with a treaty. There is no problem on the border with China. And if there is any problem, a committee can be formed to solve the issue. But with India, the border has not been fixed. The situation in India is different. Both the governments of India and Nepal should now fix the border scientifically.&nbsp;

WION: So, you are saying there is no border issue between Nepal and China?&nbsp;

Former PM Khanal: No, there is no problem with China. We have some problems in the western part of Nepal, but they should be solved through consultation because the 1962 treaty border has been fixed. If there is some encroachment from either side, it should be fixed through consolation, negotiation, meeting, diplomatic etc. But the situation with India is a little different. Now India and Nepal's governments should hurry up to fix the border scientifically. That is the need of the time. It is the 21st century, but our border hasn't been fixed yet. It’s a problem, a shame for Indians and Nepalese as well.

Nepal Former Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal on Sunday said Nepal is an independent country and did not act at the behest of China or any other country on the border issue and called the reports "a flagrant violation".

Nepal Former Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal on Sunday said Nepal is an independent country and did not act at the behest of China or any other country on the border issue and called the reports "a flagrant violation". Khanal spoke to WION’s Nepal Correspondent Saloni Murarka on the India-Nepal border issue. He was the first leader to break silence after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced road construction in the Lipulekh area, which has stirred an outrage in the Himalayan nation. WION: Why do you think the border issue keeps coming back between two strong allies even when talks take place on further strengthening ties? Former PM Khanal: All Indian people and the Indian government know that Limpiyadhura, Kalapani, and Lipulekh are inalienable parts of Nepal. It is the eastern part of the Mahakali River. The Mahakali River forms the western border of Nepal. The Lipulekh is not part of the border between Nepal and India; it is an internal part of Nepal. The river coming from Lipulekh is an internal Nepal river. There is a branch of the Mahakali river, one tributary, but that Mahakali river comes from Limpyadhura. How could India build a road without the consultation of Nepal and without any treaty with Nepal? It is not good for any of the neighbouring countries. Also read | Nepal govt urges India to stop construction at Lipulekh border WION: India has once again made its position clear on border issue, any comment? Former PM Khanal: If India clarifies its position, it makes it more unclear because the facts speak the truth, not any speech by anybody. But where is the border :- we should go there, we should study, collect the facts and find out the truth. I also would like to call on Indian people, intellectuals, officials, and experts to study the Sugauli treay-what it says and what is the western border according to the treaty. They should study. And there are some joint mechanisms between India and Nepal that are even related to the border problems. That mechanism should be called as soon as possible to fix a meeting and should find out the facts. This type of problem should be solved. WION: It is said that Nepal is creating a border issue with India at the behest of China. What do you have to say? Former PM Khanal: It is a flagrant violation of the relationship between neighbors. It is a lie. Nepal is an independent country and it doesn't work on behalf of any country, neither India nor China. It's an independent country; our foreign policy is based on non-alignment. We don't want to align with any country in the world, but we want to be independent forever. We don't want to bow down to any power. The Indian government should also know this. We are ready to fight for our independence, for our sovereignty. We are not creating this problem; this problem is being created by the Indian government. This was the reality according to the Sugauli treaty. Is the Indian government ready to honour the Sugauli treaty or not? That is the main question. Let us study. We are neighbors, we are friends, but we should not create any misunderstandings because the border problem is very sensitive. It touches the sentiments of both nations. WION: What is the Nepal government led by PM Sher Bahadur Deuba’s strategy to deal with the issue? Former PM Khanal: I have already cleared my party position and other party has cleared their positions, that is I think the position of Nepal, we have already made a consensus in the period of past government. All party had met on this issue, we have consensus that Nepal's western border is up to Limpiyadura. Limpiyadura, Kalapani and Lipulekh are inalienable part of Nepal since the time of Sugauli treaty this is the position of Nepal, all party has agreed on it. WION: As talks between both countries were postponed earlier due to COVID-19, and again the world has been hit by the third wave of COVID, if not diplomatic talks, then what next steps will Nepal take? Former PM Khanal: First of all, at this time, if we cannot sit together physically, then science and technology have developed. Why can’t our PM of Nepal and the Indian PM sit together and talk? Why not Foreign Ministers of both countries and related officials sit together in their positions and talk about the problem? It must be solved. There is no alternative. We have to solve it through dialogue, friendly, peaceful means, and scientific methods. WION: Why didn’t we see same level of reaction from the Nepali Political parties when Chinese encroached into Nepalese territories like in the case with India? Former PM Khanal: Nepal and China had already fixed their borders in the 1960s with a treaty. There is no problem on the border with China. And if there is any problem, a committee can be formed to solve the issue. But with India, the border has not been fixed. The situation in India is different. Both the governments of India and Nepal should now fix the border scientifically. WION: So, you are saying there is no border issue between Nepal and China? Former PM Khanal: No, there is no problem with China. We have some problems in the western part of Nepal, but they should be solved through consultation because the 1962 treaty border has been fixed. If there is some encroachment from either side, it should be fixed through consolation, negotiation, meeting, diplomatic etc. But the situation with India is a little different. Now India and Nepal's governments should hurry up to fix the border scientifically. That is the need of the time. It is the 21st century, but our border hasn't been fixed yet. It’s a problem, a shame for Indians and Nepalese as well.

Nepal not acting at behest of China, says country's Former PM on Lipulekh issue

Former Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal has been taken to New Delhi’s Apollo Hospital from Nepal's Norvic International Hospital in Kathmandu.&nbsp;

Khanal was admitted to the Norvic International Hospital on Monday after he reported post-COVID-19 symptoms.&nbsp;

Earlier in May, the CPN-UML Leader was infected with COVID-19 and was hospitalised for ten days.

The hospital said Khanal is also suffering from chronic pneumonia, including other problems.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepals-opposition-party-leader-threatens-to-kill-prime-minister-oli-390989" hreflang="en">Nepal’s opposition party leader threatens to kill Prime Minister Oli</a>

"Jhala Nath Khanal’s health condition is stable. The Khanal family decided to take him to Delhi’s Apollo Hospital. He has some kidney problems, infection in the blood, respiratory problems, heart problems. He also has a chronic pneumonia problem. Mainly, it is the post-COVID health issues," Norvic Hospital’s Public Relations Officer Som Nath Bastola told WION.&nbsp;

"He was receiving the treatment from Dr Brajendra Srivastava. Senior Consultant Pulmonologist (Chest Physician). Here doctors supported the family’s decision," Bastola added.&nbsp;

The leader issued a statement prior to his departure for Delhi requesting his party leaders to unite.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/priority-is-to-make-nepal-covid-19-free-says-newly-appointed-health-minister-389988" hreflang="en">Priority is to make Nepal COVID-19 free, says newly appointed health minister</a>

"I am going out of the country for a few days on the advice of the doctors due to health problem. After successful treatment, I am confident I will return home," Khanal said in the statement.&nbsp;

Speaking on the current political situation and intra-party feud, Khanal said, "It is unfortunate for the country, the people, democracy, development and prosperity that this is happening within the parties which are the pillars of national unity, integrity, democracy and stability."

He urged all the leaders to unite and stop the "unnecessary confrontation",&nbsp;and solve all the problems.&nbsp;

Showing concern over the state of the country, democracy and the party, the leader in the letter said, "I would like to take this opportunity to urge all the leaders and cadres to give up their anger, arrogance and revenge and unite under the party's legal process."

Meanwhile, other CPN-UML leaders and Former Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali wishes Khanal a quick recovery.&nbsp;

Former Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal has been taken to New Delhi’s Apollo Hospital from Nepal's Norvic International Hospital in Kathmandu. Khanal was admitted to the Norvic International Hospital on Monday after he reported post-COVID-19 symptoms.

Former Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal has been taken to New Delhi’s Apollo Hospital from Nepal's Norvic International Hospital in Kathmandu. Khanal was admitted to the Norvic International Hospital on Monday after he reported post-COVID-19 symptoms. Earlier in May, the CPN-UML Leader was infected with COVID-19 and was hospitalised for ten days. The hospital said Khanal is also suffering from chronic pneumonia, including other problems. Also read | Nepal’s opposition party leader threatens to kill Prime Minister Oli "Jhala Nath Khanal’s health condition is stable. The Khanal family decided to take him to Delhi’s Apollo Hospital. He has some kidney problems, infection in the blood, respiratory problems, heart problems. He also has a chronic pneumonia problem. Mainly, it is the post-COVID health issues," Norvic Hospital’s Public Relations Officer Som Nath Bastola told WION. "He was receiving the treatment from Dr Brajendra Srivastava. Senior Consultant Pulmonologist (Chest Physician). Here doctors supported the family’s decision," Bastola added. The leader issued a statement prior to his departure for Delhi requesting his party leaders to unite. Also read | Priority is to make Nepal COVID-19 free, says newly appointed health minister "I am going out of the country for a few days on the advice of the doctors due to health problem. After successful treatment, I am confident I will return home," Khanal said in the statement. Speaking on the current political situation and intra-party feud, Khanal said, "It is unfortunate for the country, the people, democracy, development and prosperity that this is happening within the parties which are the pillars of national unity, integrity, democracy and stability." He urged all the leaders to unite and stop the "unnecessary confrontation", and solve all the problems. Showing concern over the state of the country, democracy and the party, the leader in the letter said, "I would like to take this opportunity to urge all the leaders and cadres to give up their anger, arrogance and revenge and unite under the party's legal process." Meanwhile, other CPN-UML leaders and Former Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali wishes Khanal a quick recovery.

Nepal former PM Khanal taken to Delhi’s Apollo Hospital, issues statement

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Nepal not acting at behest of China, says country's Former PM on Lipulekh issue

Nepal former PM Khanal taken to Delhi’s Apollo Hospital, issues statement