Indian coronavirus more lethal than Chinese: Nepal PM K P Sharma Oli

Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that people entering Nepal illegally through India were spreading Covid-19 in the country and that “Indian coronavirus looks more lethal than Chinese and Italian now”, stoking another controversy a day after after he released a “new map” claiming parts of Indian territory.

Indian coronavirus more lethal than Chinese: Nepal PM K P Sharma Oli

“Those who are coming from India through illegal channels are spreading the indian coronavirus in the country and some local representatives and party leaders are responsible for bringing in people from India without proper testing,” Oli said in parliament on Tuesday. “It has become very difficult to contain Covid-19 due to the flow of people from outside. Indian coronavirus looks more lethal than Chinese and Italian now. More are getting infected.”

Oli’s comments may not get down well with India. Interestingly, the comments came after he praised India a few weeks ago for assistance in fighting Covid-19. Last week India had also granted testing kits to Nepal.

A section of experts attributed Oli’s comments to Nepal’s internal power struggle and attempts by Oli to consolidate his position by displaying nationalism.

Oli also said Nepal would “bring back at any cost” the Kalapani-Limpiyadhura-Lipulekh area, which is part of Indian territory. Recently, the Nepal cabinet had endorsed a new political map incorporating these areas.

MEA has described the Nepal government’s decision on revised map as an unilateral act which is not based on historical facts and evidence. “It is contrary to the bilateral understanding to resolve the outstanding boundary issues through diplomatic dialogue. Such artificial enlargement of territorial claims will not be accepted by India,” MEA Spokesperson asserted.

“Nepal is well aware of India’s consistent position on this matter and we urge the Government of Nepal to refrain from such unjustified cartographic assertion and respect India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We hope that the Nepalese leadership will create a positive atmosphere for diplomatic dialogue to resolve the outstanding boundary issues,” the Spokesperson added.

India and Nepal share an 1,800 km open border. The Lipulekh Pass is claimed by Nepal based on the 1816 Treaty of Sugauli it had signed with the British colonial rulers to define its western border with India.

Nepal also claims the highly strategic areas of Limpiyadhura and Kalapani, although Indian troops have been deployed there since India fought a war with China in 1962.

After a new road was inaugurated on May 8 by defence minister Rajnath Singh connecting the Lipulekh pass in Uttarakhand with Kailash Mansarovar route in China, Nepal has protested against it and is also considering putting up a security post in the area.

Meanwhile, despite Nepal’s claims on territory, Darchula region helps sustain livelihoods of Nepalis across the border. The region depends completely on India for transportation and supplies. Indian security forces in the area extend assistance to the local population, dropping foodstuff by helicopters and airlifting patients in need of medical needs. Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura are lumped together in a region that borders Darchula in the northwestern corner of Nepal.

India’s external affairs ministry had earlier said the road going through Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district “lies completely within the territory of India”. It had said the road follows the pre-existing route used by the pilgrims of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. “Under the present project, the same road has been made pliable for the ease and convenience of pilgrims, locals and traders,” it had said.

This news was originally posted on economictimes.indiatimes.com