Lipu Lekh tri-junction between Nepal, India and China: Deuba
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KATHMANDU, July 31: Former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said the disputed Lipu Lekh is a tri-junction between India, Nepal and China and that Nepal has been making a rightful claim over it.
Speaking at a talk program organized by the Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses (IDSA), an Indian government-funded think-tank, former Prime Minister Deuba maintained that India and China should not forget the fact that Lipu Lekh is a tri-junction. "Lipu Lekh is a tri-junction. India may have its own claim over it," he said in response to a question asked by a journalist.
Deuba's assertion comes in the wake of India and China reaching an agreement to expand bilateral trade through Lipu Lekh trade route. Nepal has objected to the agreement, saying that part is a tri-junction between Nepal, India and China and that any bilateral agreement involving the area would not be acceptable.
On the occasion, Deuba also said that the disputed Kalapani and Susta are part of Nepal. "It is our position that Kalapani and Susta belongs to Nepal. India may have its own claim. But there is no issue that we cannot solve through diplomatic negotiations," Political Minister Counselor at the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi Tirtha Wagle quoted Deuba as saying.
Deuba thanked India for its support and goodwill in the aftermath of massive earthquake that hit Nepal on April 25 and later again on May 12. He also mentioned that Nepal-India relations have reached a new height after the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Nepal and the Joint Commission meeting that revived several bilateral mechanisms earlier last year.
On the occasion, Deuba also said that they have reached the final stage of drafting the new constitution and that major political parties are holding extensive discussions on disputed issues for consensus. He hinted that Nepal's major parties may reach an understanding to keep appropriate phrase instead of 'secular' in the preamble of new statute.
Deuba also paid courtesy call on Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. It is learnt that both Mukherjee and Modi urged Deuba to bring statute by incorporating the demands and aspirations of all groups.
Meanwhile, Former Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal returned home on Friday following a medical check-up at Medanta Hospital. Khanal, who stayed at the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi, had reached flown to India on Wednesday. "He did not have any political meeting here. He was here purely for medical check-up," said Wagle.
