All territories east of Kali river belong to Nepal: PM Dahal

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has clarified that the government is determined that all territories east of Kali (Mahakali) river including Limpiyadhura, Kalapani and Lipu pass belong to Nepal.

Responding to queries raised by lawmakers during the discussion on headings of Foreign Ministry under the Appropriation Bill, 2081 in today’s meeting of the House of Representatives, Prime Minister Dahal reminded that as per the Nepal-India Sugauli Treaty, 1816, these territories belong to Nepal and a political map incorporating these territories was published.

He further said that during the meeting with his Indian counterpart in the course of India visit, an understanding was reached to revise and update the existing treaties and agreements including the 1950 India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship as well as to resolve border-related issues through diplomatic channels.

A letter has been sent to the Indian side through diplomatic channels for the seventh meeting of the Border Working Group related to Nepal-India Border as per the commitment made in the seventh meeting of Nepal-India Joint Commission to complete the works in the remaining section of Nepal-India border, explained the PM. The seventh meeting of the commission was held on January 2.

Stating that border problems surfaced between Nepal-China are resolved through bilateral talks and consensus, he mentioned that a consensus was forged during the meeting between the two ministers of Nepal and China in course of Nepal visit of State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, to forward activities related to Nepal-China Joint Border Monitoring, through mutual consultation.

The Prime Minister stressed, “I want to make it clear that the Government of Nepal does not have any policy to give permission to Nepali citizens for recruitment in foreign army except some friendly nations according to past agreements.”

Stating that the Gurkha recruitment in the British Army took place by the 1947’s trilateral agreement, he said the government has realised the need to negotiate with the UK government based on a national consensus to make the treaty compatible with time.

He apprised the House that the government is in regular touch with the Nepali Embassy in Moscow and the Embassy of Russian Federation in Kathmandu to take updates on Nepali citizens killed in the Russia-Ukraine war and those held captive.

“On this matter, I also informed the House about the conversation between the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Russian Federation’s foreign affairs minister on the telephone.”

A task force has been formed to give submissions for systematising the travel of Nepali in Russia.  Similarly, diplomatic talks with the Ukraine government are underway regarding those Nepalis held in captives, he added.

He also utilised the rostrum that in the case of one Bipin Joshi from Nepal who disappeared following the attack of Hamas in Israel in October last year, the governments of Israel, mediator Qatar, and Egypt, a close neighbor of both parties, have been urged for the release of Joshi. Both official and unofficial meetings have been utilised to advocate and appeal for the safe release of Joshi, according to him.

Nepali missions abroad have been established on the criteria of proximity, the size of the Nepali populace in the respective country, the status of bilateral trade, tourism and economic relations, and political and economic, and strategic importance among others, he said before the House.

The Department of Passport continues to make efforts to make the service delivery system prompt and civic-friendly, the Prime Minister said, adding that it is required to make the passport service more accessible, systematic, and simpler.

“Considering the convenience of Nepali abroad, the passport and consular services are further enriched technically.  Arrangements are in place to operate a mobile service camp to collect passport applications and the distribution in those countries when Nepal has no embassies,” he said.

The government is working to strengthen the Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) as an institute for studying, researching, promoting, and publishing matters about foreign affairs, and diplomatic issues along with the management of training for staff from the diplomatic field.