Opposition Parties Demand Diplomatic Action on Nepali Territories

Kathmandu. Opposition parties including the Nepali Congress have put pressure on the government to take sufficient diplomatic initiatives to reclaim Nepali territories including Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani. 

Speaking at a meeting of the International Relations and Tourism Committee of the Federal Parliament held at Singha Durbar on Thursday, opposition MPs drew the government's attention to the objectionable use of Nepali land as trade routes by India and China.

Sandip Rana, an MP from the main opposition party Nepali Congress, stated that the government should not delay in holding direct talks (table talks) with both India and China to reclaim Nepali land. Mentioning that sending diplomatic notes alone is not enough, he said, 'Lipulekh is our land, and it is being used for the Kailash Mansarovar journey. We must also make our mythological beliefs and tourism promotion issues an agenda for diplomatic initiatives.' 

His suggestion is to strengthen Nepal's claim through tourism by promoting the four Kailash sites located in Nepal.

Bhumika Limbu Subba, an MP from CPN (UML), accused the response from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs regarding Lipulekh as irresponsible. She stated that the government must adopt a concrete policy to counter the Indian side's argument that it is inappropriate for Nepal to raise questions. MP Subba drew the committee's attention to forming a unified national opinion by discussing this issue with all political parties and adopting a balanced foreign policy.

Pramesh Kumar Hamal, an MP from another opposition party, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), mentioned that while the government's disagreement with the activities of India and China using the Lipulekh route is positive, it is not sufficient. He said that the current majority government should intensify diplomatic efforts to reclaim the encroached land by taking the remaining political forces into confidence. He urged the government to take concrete steps to secure the border and prevent encroachment, using the initiatives taken by past governments as a basis.

In the meeting, MPs emphasized that the government should not delay and should hold high-level talks with neighboring countries on this serious issue related to Nepal's sovereignty and integrity. Committee members expressed the view that all parties should stand together on issues of national interest and the government should lead it.