Amid row with India, Nepal PM Oli defends new political map

China is determined to win over India's neighbourhood and it has already bought the loyalty of a neighbour in the west. Now the Dragon wishes to make a neighbour in the east and change its axis of equations with India.

The country is Nepal which is home to the world's highest peak - Mt Everest, it is called the national pride of Nepal. On May 2, the Chinese state media CGTN claimed that national pride was on its side, it gave the national pride a Chinese name - Mt Qomolangma - and claimed that it was located in China's Tibet autonomous region.

The Nepal government did not object, but when it comes to any minor border dispute with India, the Nepal government doesn't waste any time in picking up a fight.

Nepal has approved a new political map showing disputed land as Nepalese territory. Upto 335 kilometres of land area has been included as Nepalese territory in its new political map which includes Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani.

The valley of Kalapani along with the Lipulekh pass forms the Indian route to the Kailash-Mansarovar which is an ancient pilgrimage site. It is joined by the Limpiyadhura pass five miles south-west. India considers these areas to be part of Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district.

The country has managed and developed these areas for decades and these territories have never been used for military activities.

Earlier, Nepal never complained but all of a sudden Nepal says that Indian presence in these areas undermines its sovereignty, in fact, it did not even choose a diplomatic way to settle the issue.

Nepal has already resolved the so called border dispute by declaring these territories its own. The Nepal Communist party has tabled a special resolution in the Parliament which aims to seek control of these territories.

Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has given his consent and has asserted that Nepal is only claiming its own land.

The Nepal PM says his government has not taken the decision under anyone's behest but not everyone is on board. Senior members of Nepal's ruling party want the government to hold their horses.

Ganesh Shah, a member of the standing committee of the Nepal Communist party says this new map will escalate unnecessary tension between Nepal and India when both countries are fighting the coronavirus.

Shah says that the Nepal government should start a dialogue with India to resolve the matter through diplomatic moves. India and Nepal have enjoyed excellent bilateral ties with open borders between the two countries. Nepal must not lose one friend in trying to please another.