Lawmakers flay Minister Saud's remark regarding diplomatic note

Kathmandu, Sept. 7

Lawmakers have raised questions over the competency and system of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in handling relations with the immediate neighbours, and its seriousness in handling sensitive issues like the borders of the country.

Speaking at the meeting of the International Relations and Tourism Committee (IRTC) of the House of Representatives on Thursday, they expressed dissatisfaction over and criticised the recent row between the incumbent Foreign Minister, NP Saud, and former FM Pradeep Kumar Gyawali regarding the 'correspondence' to India and China after the southern neighbour issued its new map including Nepal's Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulek area in its territory in 2019.

The government then had said that it sent a diplomatic note to India but the latter instead of responding to Nepal's concern constructed a road to Lipulek, a border point with China unilaterally and its Defense Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the infrastructure. In response, Nepal issued a new map including the land encroached by India in its territory and the Parliament approved the new map in 2020. According to former FM Gyawali, Nepal had protested the move with India and also conducted correspondence with China.

However, both India and China have not recognised the new map while Nepal has failed to take up the issue to the international community and forums.

The recent dispute surfaced when FM Saud responded to former FM Gyawali's call to send a diplomatic note to China as it issued a new map including the Indian land of Arunachal Pradesh and the disputed Aksai Chin area in its territory. The map doesn't show Nepal's newly added territories of Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulek area. FM Saud responded by saying that the government then did not conduct any 'diplomatic communication' with India and China.

Expressing concern over the matter, the IRTC had summoned PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda to clarify the issue and update the parliament about the agenda the country is taking up in the upcoming United Nation's General Assembly (UNGA) and China. PM Prachada is embarking on a visit to China immediately after the UNGA. But since the PM couldn't manage his time due to his engagement in the preparations, FM Saud reached the IRTC meeting to respond to the queries of the parliamentarians where he reiterated that he couldn't find any evidence of Nepal's correspondence to the neighbours on the 'map issue' and said that the MoFA is studying the matter.

 

'Consider the geographical sensitivity'

Speaking at the meeting, former Prime Minister, Madhav Kumar Nepal, raised questions over the MoFA's system of documenting the official information. "It seems that the Foreign Ministry was not serious on such a serious issue. The incident demands a thorough assessment of the process and activities," he said while stating the government must not repeat such acts in the future.

Former PM Nepal, who also had held the portfolio of Foreign Minister, said that instead of commenting on the serious issues publicly, FM Saud should have talked to former FM Gyawali to sort out the issue.

"It was natural to inform the world community about the publication of the map. But if there are no records, did the government inform the neighbours verbally?" interrogated Nepal. He suggested that the leaders must always take into account geographical sensitivity, trading criticism is not good in the exercise of foreign policy.

 

'A serious mistake'

Lawmaker Prabhu Shah termed it a 'serious mistake' and demanded that the culprits be punished.

Likewise, Bhim Prasad Acharya, suggested the government that Nepal must ask China why it did not include Nepal's territory within Nepali borders. "Was it because of ignorance or something else?" he asked.

Another lawmaker, Shishir Khanal, said that a sensitive issue like that of the map should have been treated sensitively. "It's unfortunate that the Foreign Minister has to come up with a statement that there was no communication with the concerned two neighbours," he said while questioning what has held the country back from taking up the issue to the international forums and update the international community about the map.

Since this is not a political issue, everyone should treat it seriously, said Khanal.

Lawmakers also suggested that the MoFA must have a strategy and timeline to solicit acceptance of the international community for the new map.

Eknath Dhakal said that Nepal's concerns about the map published by China should be communicated to the northern neighbour.

Raj Kishor Yadav, Chairperson of the IRTC, said that the lapses in institutional memory have damaged the image of the country. "The government must seriously consider this issue. Foreign Minister must not escape the issues of the country's sovereignty," he said.

According to Yadav, if there were any weaknesses on the part of past leaders, the Ministry should take steps to correct them.

 

Tourism, trade and investment

Lawmakers suggested that Prime Minister Prachanda should give priority to attracting Chinese tourists, make airports in Bhairahawa and Pokhara operational, activating Nepali mission in Beijing to perform economic diplomacy and opening the Korala border point.

Lawmaker Sunita Baral suggested to take up the issue of the poor implementation of past agreements, Kathmandu Ring Road expansion, Kimathanka border opening, student exchange and expanding trade with China.

Likewise, speaking on Nepal's UNGA participation, lawmaker Barsha Man Pun said that the country's head of government is participating in the UNGA for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic which is a matter of happiness.

"We are chairing the group of LDCs. We need to raise the concerns of developing countries at the UNGA and other global and regional platforms," he said while adding that Nepal must be non-aligned and must not sign any military agreements.

However, it must not hesitate to forge partnership in development, said Pun.

 

Chinese ambassador must be cautioned

Meanwhile, many lawmakers asked the government to take immediate actions over Ambassador of China to Nepal Chan Song's recent statement on Nepal-India trade and other relations where he accused India of acting in a way that Nepal would not be benefitting.

Lawmaker Dhawal Shamsher Rana said that the Chinese Ambassador must be called and reminded about his code of conduct while being in Nepal.

Chairman Yadav also said that Nepal's neighbours must not interfere in Nepal's internal and external affairs.

Lawmaker Barsha Man Pun also said that no one should be allowed to comment on Nepal's internal affairs, otherwise it could become a trend in coming days. "Third parties must not be entertained or allowed to express their concerns on our matters," he said.

Senior leader Mahantha Thakur stated that the Chinese Ambassador's statement is not acceptable.

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 8 September 2023.