Kathmandu, May 10
In response to Nepal’s objection that India constructed a link road to go to Manasarovar of Tibet via Nepali territory, the Indian government has claimed that the newly inaugurated road does not pass through Nepal.
A few hours after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kathmandu issued a statement objecting to the reported inauguration of the road by Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and urging India to refrain from carrying out any activity inside the territory of Nepal, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs states on Saturday evening, “The recently inaugurated road section in Pithoragarh district in the State of Uttarakhand lies completely within the territory of India.”
The ministry’s statement adds, “The road follows the pre-existing route used by the pilgrims of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Under the present project, the same road has been made pliable for the ease and convenience of pilgrims, locals, and traders.”
Meanwhile, India has assured that it was ready to solve the existing border disputes with Nepal through diplomatic talks. In response to Nepal’s accusation that it did not respond to two requests for a foreign secretary-level talk to discuss the matter, India now says it will “be held once the dates are finalised between the two sides after the two societies and governments have successfully dealt with the challenge of Covid-19 emergency.”
