Govt sees red over Indian diplomat's remarks

KATHMANDU, May 19: The government and political parties have expressed serious concern over the reported suggestions of an Indian diplomat based in Birgunj to local leaders to launch “mass protest for the cause of Madhes”.



The government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has drawn the attention of the Indian government stating that any such activity of a diplomat intended to “incite” protest activities could badly affect the friendly relations between Nepal and India. [break]



MoFA Secretary Durga Prasad Bhattarai conveyed Nepal´s concern to the Indian Ambassador to Nepal Jayanta Prasad, said spokesperson for the foreign ministry Arjun Bahadur Thapa. "We told the ambassador that such an act could badly affect the friendly relations between the two countries as such a remark would disrupt social harmony and undermine territorial integrity of Nepal,” he said.



Secretary Bhattarai also asked the envoy to probe into the incident. "Nepal wishes to see Indian embassy probe the incident and take appropriate action against the diplomat," he further said.



At a dinner party organized on Thursday evening for local-level leaders of NC, UML and various Madhes-based parties, SD Mehta, consul at the Consulate General of India, Birgunj, had reportedly asked the party leaders to launch mass protests in Madhes while expressing an all out support of India. Mehta also said that the 11-province federal model that divides Madhes into three provinces had made him feel that his “liver had been cut into pieces”.



However, the Indian embassy in Kathmandu has refuted the media reports. "Such attributions seek to detract from the friendly relations between India and Nepal," said a statement.



A meeting of the Maoists, NC and UML held at the prime minister´s official residence on Friday morning had decided to draw the attention of the Indian government over the undiplomatic activities of the Indian diplomat.



Meanwhile, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Friday invited the Indian ambassador to his residence in Maharajgunj and sought clarification over the consul´s remark.



UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal in a separate statement has asked the government to declare the Indian consul persona non grata.

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