'We will bow to Nepal but will not spoil relations'

Published On: December 16, 2021 12:03 PM NPT By: Republica  | @RepublicaNepal


KATHMANDU, Dec 16: Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said that some forces want to spoil Nepal-India relations but India will not allow that to happen. Addressing a program in Dehradun on Wednesday, Defence Minister Singh said that India should bow its head if necessary to deepen relations with Nepal but not break it.

"Some forces are trying to damage relations between the two countries. But as a representative of the government, I would like to say that if necessary, we will bow our heads towards Nepal, but we will not allow the relationship to deteriorate, we will not break it, "the Indian news agency ANI quoted Defence Minister Singh as saying. Defense Minister Singh did not mention the name of the force that wants to spoil Nepal-India relations.

Relations between Nepal and India had soured after Defence Minister Singh inaugurated the road connecting Kailash Mansarovar via Lipulekh in Nepal last year. Earlier, India had made public a political map including disputed territories- Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani.

The dispute was not settled and after Singh inaugurated the road built on Nepali territory, there was a lot of criticism. After India unilaterally included Nepali territory in its map and extended the road by encroaching upon the Nepali territory, Nepal had also made public a new map including the territory encroached upon by India.

Since then, the bitter relations between the two countries have not completely improved. Indian leaders have blamed China for the bitterness in its relations with Nepal.

After Nepal protested against India's expansion of roads in Lipulekh, Indian Army Chief Manoj Mukund Narwane accused Nepal of protesting at the instigation of China.

 


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