By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, May 11: Foreign Affairs Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali Sunday said that the border dispute between Nepal and India should be settled on the basis of Sugauli Treaty, historical documents and other evidences.
Speaking separately in the meetings of the House of Representatives and the National Assembly, Minister Gyawali informed that the House that the government was ready to resolve the issue on the basis of the historical documents after India unilaterally extended its road in Nepal’s territory.
Gyawali urged one and all, including the opposition parties, not to politicise the border dispute.
Minister Gyawali also tabled the government’s official stance on the issue made public by the Foreign Ministry in the Parliament by reading it out in the House meeting.
“Nepal government has stated in the past as well that the Sugauli Treaty and supplementary treaties following it are the guidelines on the issue of the border between the two countries. The three supplementary treaties signed till 1875 after the Sugauli Treaty have fixed the border between the two countries. Since then, not a single supplementary treaty has been signed regarding the alteration of the border,” Gyawali said.
He also said, “We believe that the issue should be sorted out in line with such treaties, historic facts and other documents.”
Extending the road in the Lipu Lekh area by India at a time when Nepal was requesting for bilateral talks by sending diplomatic note after the southern neighbour included the Nepali territory in the eighth edition of the political map is regrettable, stated the Foreign Minister.
Gyawali also stated that India did not reciprocate with Nepal’s request for bilateral talks.
He said that Nepal was in favour of solving the issue diplomatically by expressing its national interest firmly.
The Minister asked the Indian government not to get engaged in questionable activities when Nepal and the entire world was in the midst of a humanitarian crisis.
“The Indian side has said that bilateral talks will be initiated after the end of coronaviss pandemic and we have taken it positively,” Gyawali added.
Earlier, lawmakers and leaders of all the political parties in House of Representatives and National Assembly condemned the Indian act of construction and inauguration of a road in the Nepali territory in western Nepal.
They also expressed their dissatisfaction towards inefficient government initiation for border safety. Amid the crisis of COVID-19 pandemic, India had inaugurated an 80-kilometre stretch road connecting Ghatiabgarh and Lipulek in Nepali territory on Friday inviting criticism from Nepal. Government as well as the political parties in Nepal have strongly objected to the move stating that it was an attack on Nepal’s sovereignty and national integrity.
In the House today, the

lawmakers of ruling Nepal Communist Party appreciated the diplomatic disagreement of the government about the track and lawmakers of opposition party blamed the government for not being able to protect the Nepali territory.
Surendra Pandey, former minister and leader of the ruling NCP said that regular efforts needed to resolve the border issues diplomatically. He appreciated the government for its clear statement.
Another leader Janardan Sharma said that only issuing diplomatic note was not enough. Sharma asked the government to do more than issuing notes. He said that the government should be able to convince China about the disputed land.
NCP leader Bhim Rawal condemned the Indian step of overtaking Nepali land and asked what was obstructing the government from publishing its new map.
“Publish our national map and claim the territory; the House will open up all knots if there are any,” he added. Former minister and lawmaker of opposition Nepali Congress Minendra Rijal blamed the government for not being able to protect the country’s borders well. Stating that issuing protest note was not enough, Rijal asked the government to make public its further plans on that. “The government should share its plans for protecting its territory,” he added.
Similarly, Gagan Kumar Thapa said that India did not pay heed to any of our diplomatic pleas and said it was essential to recover it forcefully. He assured of full support from the opposition and asked the government the type of assistance it required from opposition to sort out the border issue.
Another leader Dilendra Badu asked why the government ignored the serious issue of border dispute which was raised in the House in the past. “Didn’t they have information or ignored it knowingly,” he said.
Janata Samajwadi Party leader Anil Kumar Jha said that Nepali side was weak when it came to showing its firm stance about the border dispute. He said that the government should think of fighting forcefully to regain its territory.
In the Upper House, NCP lawmaker Komal Wali raised question about the diplomatic capacity of the government. She said that the dispute on border had raised suspicion about the government’s capacity to secure its territory.
Lawmaker Bimala Rai Paudel said that it was the appropriate time of regulating all border points. She also asked the government to publish its long-term policy on protecting borders.
Both the Houses are scheduled to convene next on May 11.