CHINA HOPES INDIA AND NEPAL REFRAIN FROM UNILATERAL ACTION
Beijing, May 19: China said the Kalapani border issue is between India and Nepal as it hoped that the neighbours could refrain from “unilateral actions” and properly resolve their disputes through consultations.
Foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian made the remarks while replying to questions on India-Nepal differences over the border.
Beijing, May 19: China on Tuesday said the Kalapani border issue is between India and Nepal as it hoped that the two neighbours could refrain from “unilateral actions” and properly resolve their disputes through friendly consultations. Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian made the remarks at a media briefing here while replying to questions on India-Nepal differences over the border and Indian Army chief Gen. M.M. Naravane’s remarks that Kathmandu was objecting to the newly built road by India at the behest of “someone else”. “Kalapani is an issue between Nepal and India, and we hope the two countries properly solve their disputes through friendly consultations,” Zhao said.
Zhao also said Nepal and India also should “refrain from unilateral actions that might complicate the situation”. Gen Naravane said on Friday that there were reasons to believe that Nepal objected to India’s newly inaugurated road linking Lipulekh
Pass with Dharchula in Uttarakhand at the behest of “someone else”, in an apparent reference to a possible role by China on the matter.
He said there was no dispute whatsoever between India and Nepal and road laid was very much within the Indian side. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had thrown open the
80-KM-long strategically crucial road at a height of
17,000 KM along the border with China in Uttarakhand earlier this month.
Nepal has raised objection to the road, saying the “unilateral act” was against the understanding reached on resolving the border issues.
● FOREIGN MINISTRY spokesman Zhao Lijian was replying to questions on India-Nepal border differences and Indian Army chief Gen. M.M. Naravane’s remarks that Kathmandu was objecting to the road at behest of ‘someone else’.