Amid Lipulekh row, Nepal govt tables proposal over new political map

government on Sunday tabled a constitutional amendment in Parliament to give legal backing to a new map that shows Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura as part of the country’s territory, marking another twist in a border row with India.

Law, justice and parliamentary affairs minister Shiva Maya Tumbahangphe’s proposal for approval to table the constitution (second amendment) bill in the House of Representatives or Lower House of Parliament was unanimously endorsed.

The government acted after the main opposition Nepali Congress, which had earlier sought more time to discuss the amendment within the party, directed its lawmakers to vote in favour of the proposal to make the new map a part of the Constitution. The central committee of the Nepali Congress made the decision at a meeting late on Saturday. There was no word on the development from Indian officials.

India had on Thursday called for “constructive and positive efforts” to end the border row with Nepal, saying that the mutual sensitivity and an environment of trust are needed for handling such issues among neighbours.

The Nepal government earlier planned to move the amendment in Parliament on May 27 but held off on it because of lack of support from the Nepali Congress. The delay allowed some breathing room for the two sides to tackle the border row, which began after Nepal protested against India’s opening of an 80-km road to Lipulekh on the Chinese border earlier this month.

Nepal claims Lipulekh but the external affairs ministry contended the road was “completely within the territory of India”.

ON THURSDAY, INDIA CALLED FOR A ‘CONSTRUCTIVE AND POSITIVE EFFORTS’ TO END THE BORDER ROW WITH NEPAL