Amid stand-off with China, India faces new low in bilateral ties with Nepal
- Kathmandu has approved a controversial new map marking as its territory land currently administered by India
- Experts say China’s influence in Nepal has boosted its assertiveness in a dispute going back two centuries
Nepal’s decision on Thursday to approve a controversial new territorial map contested by India – as New Delhi is in the throes of a bitter bilateral crisis with Beijing – reveals just how frayed ties between the traditional allies are as China attempts to increase its influence in the region.
Since news emerged that Indian and Chinese troops brawled with rocks and rods in the Galwan Valley along their disputed border on Monday, leaving at least 20 Indian soldiers dead and an unconfirmed number of injured men from both sides, Kathmandu has not expressed any condolences.
Instead, three days later, its president and upper house of parliament approved a map that marked 62 square kilometres of land in the Kalapani region, currently administered by India, as Nepal’s territory.
India had previously rejected the map, calling it an “unjustified cartographic assertion” and “an artificial enlargement of claims” not based on historical facts or evidence. But Nepal’s law minister Shiva Maya Tumbahamphe told parliament on Thursday: “We have enough facts and evidence and we’ll sit (with India) to resolve the dispute through diplomatic negotiations.”
Adding to the tensions, Nepal’s army chief General Purna Chandra Thapa on Wednesday visited the westernmost border post along the India-Nepal border near the Kalapani area.
02:13
India and China attempt to de-escalate border tension after deaths
While India’s Ministry of External Affairs did not officially respond to Nepal’s approval of the map, the move is likely to cause worry in New Delhi as sources indicate backchannel talks between the two nations to avert the escalation of tensions may have fallen short.