Kathmandu: Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's attitude seems to have changed after meeting with Samant Kumar Goyal, the head of India's intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). After meeting the RAW Chief, the Nepalese Prime Minister has tweeted congratulating Vijayadashami, however, he used the old map of Nepal.
It is believed that till now the attitude of PM KP Sharma Oli, who has taken a strong stand on the Indo-Nepal border dispute, has changed after meeting Samant Kumar Goyal.
Goyal met Oli alone at his official residence on Wednesday night and Indian Army Chief General Narwane is also going to visit Nepal next month. However, only time will tell how long KP Sharma Oli stays on this stand.
Oli critisized for meeting alone
Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has come under the center of criticism from leaders of other parties, including his own party, for ignoring diplomatic rules and meeting with RAW chief Samant Kumar Goel. Leader of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Bhim Rawal said that the meeting between RAW chief Goyal and Prime Minister Oli was against diplomatic rules and it did not fulfill the national interest of Nepal. Since this meeting was held in a non-transparent manner without consulting the concerned division of the Ministry of External Affairs, it would weaken our state system. Vishnu Rijal, deputy head of NCP's foreign affairs cell, said that diplomacy should be handled not by politicians but by diplomats. Nepalese Congress central leader Gagan Thapa tweeted, 'This meeting is not only a violation of diplomatic rules but also threatens our national security. It should be investigated.
Three former Prime Ministers denied meeting
Three former Prime Ministers of Nepal Prachanda Pushp Kamal Dahal Prachanda, Madhav Kumar Nepal (both NCP leaders) and Sher Bahadur Deuba of the Nepali Congress denied media reports that they too had a meeting with the RAW chief. Goyal's visit took place ahead of General MM Narwane's visit to Nepal in the first week of November.
India and Nepal are trying to become friends again
India extended a hand of friendship by announcing the visit to Nepal in the first week of Indian Army Chief General MM Narwane. A few hours after the announcement of General Narwane's visit to Nepal, Prime Minister Oli took back the responsibility of the Ministry of Defense from Ishwar Pokharel and kept it with him. However, Pokharel was retained as a cabinet minister in the PMO. In the midst of a border dispute with India, Ishwar Pokharel had forcibly sent the head of the Nepalese army to Kalapani, while the Nepalese Army clearly believed that the army should not be dragged into a diplomatic or political dispute with India. Apart from this, Pokharel, while the Defense Minister, had pressurized the Nepalese Army to oppose and react to the Nepalese statement of Indian Army Chief General Narwane, which was rejected by the Nepalese Army.
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Why and when the dispute started
Tension arose between the two countries after Defense Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the 80-km-long strategically important route connecting Lipulekh and Dharchula in Uttarakhand on May 8. Nepal opposed this inauguration, claiming that the road passes through its territory. A few days later Nepal released a new map and showed Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura within its range. India also released a new map in November 2019, which showed these areas within its limits. India released a strong response to the release of the map of Nepal and termed it a one-sided act. He said that the artificial extension of the territorial claim is not acceptable to him.
