The State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the parliament has instructed the government to internationalize the border dispute with India if diplomatic initiative does not work.
The committee on Sunday has condemned Indian construction of road to Mansarovar of China through Lipu Lekh calling it attack on sovereignty of Nepal. The committee has also urged for immediate withdrawal of Indian Army from Kalapani, Lipu Lekh and other areas.
Urging India to respect sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nepal, it has also instructed the government to take initiative for tripartite dialogue on the issue of Indian construction of road to Mansarovar of China through Lipu Lekh.
"The committee instructs to immediately take initiative for tripartite dialogue on the issue of construction of road to Mansarovar of China from of Pithoragarh of India through Gunji in Kalapani area and Lipu Lekh Pass, and to continue it," Chairman Shashi Shrestha stated in the committee's decision after the meeting on Sunday. "It also recommends to internationalize the outstanding issues if that does not succeed."
Lawmakers during the meeting have urged the government to take solid initiative for resolution of the problem. Pointing that problems have arisen due to failure of the government bodies to issue right reports and information, they also raised questions against investigative bodies.
CPN lawmaker Janardan Sharma said the committee should ask the government about what kind of reports the National Investigation Department has submitted to the government and when.
CPN lawmaker Lal Babu Pandit opined that there is no alternative to internationalizing the issue as India has not showed interest toward dialogue on the issue and even constructed a road in Nepali territory.
Nepali Congress (NC) lawmaker Dila Sangraula said the problem will not be resolved until Prime Minister (PM) KP Sharma Oli raises the issue with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. "Has India not capitalized on COVID-19 pandemic? Is this not bullying attitude?" Sangraula stated. She also asked Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa why he has failed to secure the borders.
NC lawmaker Dilendra Prasad Badu pointed that he had already drawn the attention of government toward Indian construction of road inside Nepali territory over six months back and accused the government of ignoring that.
Responding to the queries of lawmakers Minister Thapa stated that the current generation is suffering due to the mistakes of past rulers.
