Kathmandu, Nov.
10
The Sugauli Treaty is the document that sets the
international boundary between Nepal and India at Limpiyadhura, there is no
alternative, said former Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal.
“For us there are no other treaties. We don't follow
the borders set by India and China,” he said while speaking at the weekly
dialogue ‘Gorkhapatra Sambad’ on Sunday.
Limpiyadhura is a tri-lateral border point, and
without setting the point our western border couldn't be set. It can be
possible with the consent of all three countries – Nepal, India and China.
“We don't subscribe the agreement between India and
China regarding the Lipulek or Kalapani area. We have expressed this view with
the both,” Khanal said. “We want a tripartite agreement regarding the border
point. Lipulek is not the trilateral
point but Limpiyadhura is.”
The senior leader of the Nepal Communist Party (NCP)
said that the country had delayed claiming the Kalapani region, including
Limpiyadhura and Lipulke.
He stated that it was not about Kalapani, Lipulek
and Limpiyadura, but about setting the Nepal’s national boundary as per the
Sugauli Treaty which clearly reads that the Mahakali River was the western
boundary of Nepal.
The country missed the chance to secure its own land
from the very beginning, he said.
“If you see the maps of the 19th century,
Limpiyadhura is shown in Nepal's territory. Indian maps in the 20th
century have shown Lipulek as their land while the recent maps have shown
further encroachment, about additional 50 km in Nepal's side,” he said.
According to Khanal, Nepal also dared not to include
Limpiyadhura as its territory. Although Nepali maps show Kalapani region in
Nepal’s territory, it was up to Lipulek not Limpiyadhura.
He said that conducting of census by Nepal in the
Kalapani region and local people paying land revenue to the government were the
strong evidence in Nepal’s part.
He suggested the government create a position paper
as the initial step. “It must search all past agreements, treaties, maps and
activities and include them in the position paper before holding discussion
with India,” he said.
Khanal pointed towards the need for enhancing the
security at the international borders at the earliest and increasing the
security forces to meet the security demand. More border posts must be created,
and the entire border security mechanism, including the resources and
institutions, should be strengthened, he suggested.
Similarly, he
said that creation of a digital map of the country could resolve many problems
since many other countries around the globe had done the same.
Lipulek is a
strategic location. It is the main entry point to Mansarovar, a
sacred lake in Tibet. Similarly, near to it is Tinker Bhanjyang which is the
famous trade route and has high touristic and strategic importance. Such
benefits could have increased India’s greed, he said.
He expressed his
hope that the national unity in the issue of Kalanpai encroachment could deliver
expected results. “The country has a national consensus on
Kalapani region. This is a treasure. This consensus is a powerful force. Now we
stand at a point of national unity,” he said.
The government must recognise the importance of this
opportunity and take proactive action to address the issue, he said mentioning
that challenge and opportunity were the twins.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 11 November 2019.
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