Former President Bhandari calls for honouring Nepal-India border

Kathmandu, May 13: Former President  Bidya Devi Bhandari has stressed the need for all to honour the Nepal-India border. 

Launching a book titled 'Nepal-India Frontier Diplomacy in Reference to Kali River: Prospective of International Law' by senior advocates Dr Surendra Bhandari and Dr Achyut Gautam amid a function here on Saturday, she said the disputed Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura are Nepal's territories.

 A historic new wave of awareness about the country's sovereignty, national unity and nationality was being transmitted following the inclusion of the territories in the country's new political map, added former President Bhandari. 

"Nepali people have had their love for the country and immortal faith about territorial integrity. We with due priorities must revisit historic references to practically conclude such issue of Nepali territory", she mentioned 

Calling for keeping the border between Nepal and India intact and clear, she viewed that such act would significantly contribute to further consolidating and improving age-old relations between the two countries. 

Similarly, former Deputy Prime Minister Bamdev Gautam demanded that the Indian Army should withdraw from Kalapani arguing that it has disintegrated Nepal's sovereignty and independence. 

Commenting on the book, former secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Dwarika Nath Dhungel said the book would be useful for anyone wanting to know about the issue of the Nepal-India border and Kalapani. 

Presenting strong evidence that Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura belongs to Nepal, this book does not allow India to maneuver in any way on the matter, said border expert Buddhi Narayan Shrestha. 

He expressed the view that it has already been proved that Kali is the river originated from Limpiyadhura.

Similarly, senior journalist Bhairab Risal suggested to hold result-oriented discussion for withdrawal of Indian troops from Kalapani making the issue of territory of Kalapani  area as the main agenda during upcoming visit of the Prime Minister.   

Likewise, lawyer Raman Karna pointed out the need that Nepal should present its claim to maintain sovereignty and independence as it Nepal has already published a new map incorporating these areas.

  Different official facts, statistics and evidence related to Nepal's relation and border with India and China as well as relation with other countries including UK have been incorporated in the book.   The price of the 476-page book is Rs 1,100. (RSS)