Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said on Saturday that problems between Nepal and India can be resolved through free dialogue and cordial atmosphere.
Speaking at the launch of former administrator Suryanath Upadhyay’s book “International Watercourses Law: A Perspective on Nepal-India Cooperation”, Oli said, “There are very few problems, not many, between Nepal and India and they can be resolved if we maintain a cordial atmosphere and free dialogue.”
Oli said, “India is our friendly neighbour and Nepal and India have rich cultures, so we should have free dialogue. Our inability to talk openly cannot be blamed only on the geopolitical situation. We should not get involved in any game of gaining and retaining power.”
He said, “In the past, foreign relations were based on a country’s strength… After the Second World War, any country must present its national interests in a fair and just manner in accordance with international treaties and agreements.”
Oli stressed, “There should not be a one-sided approach while working on shared resources. It should be done on the basis of consensus and bilateral discussions.”
Relations between the two countries deteriorated after Nepal published a new political map in 2020. The map showed three Indian territories – Limpiyadhura, Kalapani and Lipulekh – as part of Nepal. Oli, who was then the prime minister, tried to use the issue to fend off growing domestic pressure.
Oli has in the past publicly criticised India for allegedly interfering in Nepal’s internal affairs. Nepal shares a border of over 1,850 kilometres with five Indian states – Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.