Nepali Congress MP Bharat Khadka Criticizes Prime Minister's Land Claim Statement

Kathmandu. Nepali Congress MP Bharat Khadka has stated that it is shameful for Nepalis that the current Prime Minister of Nepal has claimed that Nepal has encroached upon India's land, a claim that has not been made by any Indian Prime Minister since India gained independence.

Speaking during an emergency session of the House of Representatives on Friday, Khadka, who is also the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, said it is shameful that the Prime Minister of Nepal is making a claim that is not recorded in Nepal's history and has not even been made by neighboring countries.

"Since India became independent in 1947, dozens of Prime Ministers have changed, from Jawaharlal Nehru to Narendra Modi, but none have claimed that Nepal has encroached upon India's land," Khadka said. "It is shameful that our own Prime Minister is making a claim that is not recorded in our history and has not even been made by our neighbors." Khadka stated that such irresponsible remarks by the Prime Minister have hurt the sentiments of 30 million Nepalis and damaged national pride.

Khadka also presented the historical fact that when China and India signed an agreement on Lipulekh in 2072 BS (2015 AD), then Prime Minister Sushil Koirala sent diplomatic notes to both countries in protest. "Due to his courage, India had to formally invite him and listen to his views, but today our Prime Minister is trying to show his own country as guilty," Khadka said.

Mentioning that 97 percent of the problems have been resolved in the report of the Eminent Persons' Group formed between Nepal and India, and the remaining 3 percent includes disputed areas like Limpiyadhura, Kalapani, and Susta, Khadka suggested the Prime Minister study those documents. "It is necessary to inform the Prime Minister about those facts; it is not Nepal that has encroached, but our own territory has been encroached upon," Khadka said.