After China’s new map antagonised India, Nepal is a bit miffed and albeit cautious as the map does not show the territories under the Indian Border claimed by Kathmandu through its cartographic efforts.
The Peoples Republic of China unveiled the 2023 edition of the map on August 28, 2023, which continued to show Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin within its boundary, and while the political opposition raised a pitch, the Ministry of External Affairs said it launched a strong protest against China.
The New Chinese map also drew attention in Kathmandu as it does not include areas such as Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura, which are in the shape of a pointed spur and were incorporated into the map of Nepal in 2020.
After Nepal issued the map, India termed it as an unjustified cartographic assertion and has not discussed the matter bilaterally. The Chinese map has evoked some strong opposition and reaction in Nepal. The Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah cancelled his visit to China.
Statement of Nepal Foreign Ministry
The Nepalese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Sewa Lamsal issued a cautious-worded statement that did not directly condemn Beijing. It said, “Nepal stands firm and clear on its political and administrative map unanimously approved by the Parliament of Nepal in 2020. The government of Nepal unequivocally believes that this map must be respected by our neighbours as well as the international community. Nepal remains committed to resolving the boundary matters through dialogues and diplomacy, said the spokesperson on September 1, 2023.
It is not surprising that Beijing does not recognise those areas as Nepali territory as Lipulekh has been an officially recognised trading post between India and China.
Till now, there has been no personal statement from the Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda), who is scheduled to visit Beijing this month to lead the delegation for the Asian Games.
Besides India, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines have also expressed their objection to the controversial Chinese map.
Remarks of the Mayor
Taking to social media, Mayor Shah expressed his grievances, stating, “Nepal introduced a fresh map featuring Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani. Yet the Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources recently unveiled a map of Nepal showing devoid of these regions, adhering to the prior map.
We consider this as a breach of sovereignty, as it depicts Nepali territory as a part of India without any consultation with Nepal. Consequently, I have made the ethical choice today to cancel my five-day visit to China, which was extended as a courtesy.”
Balen’s Visit to China
Initially, Balen had been gearing up for a five-day visit to China, an invitation that was sent by Chinese authorities. However, he cancelled this trip, citing ethical concerns The root of its decisions lies in the Chinese acknowledgement of the old map on its official map, all while retaining the new map of Nepal, which encompasses regions such as Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani.
The Dispute
Kalapani is a valley that is administered by India as part of the Pithoragarh District of the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is situated on the Kailash Mansarovar Route. After the Anglo-Nepal War in 1816, a treaty was signed by the British and the King Of Nepal at Sugauli. the Kali River was designated as the Western Boundaries of Nepal.
The Kali River in the Kalapani region demarcates the border between India and Nepal. Nepal believes that the Kali River originates from Limpiyadhura, northwest of Lipulekh. Lipulekh was deleted from the country’s map by the kings to get favours from India.
The territory of Kalapani was offered to India by King Mahendra after the 1962 India-China war, who wanted to help India’s security concerns due to perceived lingering Chinese threats.
Kalapani was not a part of the Nepal-India dispute. It was Nepal’s territory that the king had allowed India to use temporarily. The administrative and revenue records of the nineteenth century also show that Kalapani was on the Indian side and counted as part of the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand.
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