Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi held telephonic conversations on Saturday, ending the protracted deadlock between the two friendly neighbours. The two heads of government had made their last contact more than four months back to get updated on the coronavirus situation and take care of their citizens stranded in each other’s territories in the times of the deadly virus disease. PM Oli made the fresh contact with Modi to congratulate him and the Indian people on the occasion of the 74th Independence Day of India. This high-level communication has broken the ice. Relations between the two nations had soured after the India released a new political and administrative map by including Nepal's Kalapani, Lipulek and Limpiyadhura in its territory in November last year.

In the wake of the Indian move, Nepal had proposed for resolving the longstanding border disputes through diplomatic channel. But instead of responding to Nepal’s request, the Indian government demonstrated its hegemonic attitude by opening a link road that passes through Lipulek to Manasarovar of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China in May. Nepal strongly objected to the Indian move and urged it to hold dialogue to resolve the border dispute once and for all. Nepal was also prompted to update its map that incorporated Kalapani, Lipulek and Limpiyadhura. The federal parliament endorsed the country’s new map on June 13. Nepal is now in the process of submitting the map to the United Nations and other international organisations.

Against this backdrop, the dialogue between the two leaders has created rays of hope that the bilateral relations between the two nations will be strengthened further. The stalled talks on various bilateral issues are expected to resume in the days ahead. The two leaders talked on the eve of a virtual meeting being held between Nepal’s Foreign Secretary and Indian ambassdor. The meeting aims to review the bilateral development projects in Nepal and ensure their timely implementation and completion. During the conversation, PM Oli extended best wishes for the continued progress and prosperity of the people of India. He also appreciated Modi's renewed priority to neighbourhood as spelt out in the latter’s Independence Day adress. The two leaders also exchanged views on the latest efforts being made to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic and agreed to work together in this area. PM Oli commended India for supporting Nepal in her fight against the pandemic. He hoped that scientists around the world, including in India, would be able to develop anti-coronavirus vaccine that would contribute to controlling and preventing the killer disease from spreading further.

Meanwhile, Oli congratulated Modi on India’s election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and expressed best wishes for the successful discharge of this vital responsibility. As an intimate neighbour, Nepal had voted for India. Modi also thanked PM Oli for the telephone call and recalled the civilisational and cultural links the two countries share. There is no doubt that India is one of the largest development partners supporting Nepal. India has been involved in mega infrastructure projects in energy, reconstruction, railway and road transportation such as Arun III Hydroelectricity Project, cross-border railway, Postal Highway, post-quake reconstruction and integrated check posts. Consolidating the bilateral relations is in the interest of both the neighbours. And this can be achieved through frank and friendly communication.