Nepal will reclaim Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura from India: PM K P Sharma Oli

News Network
May 20, 2020

May 20: Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli on Tuesday asserted that Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura belong to Nepal and vowed to "reclaim" them from India through political and diplomatic efforts, as his Cabinet endorsed a new political map showing the three areas as Nepalese territory.

Addressing Parliament, Oli said the territories belong to Nepal “but India has made it a disputed area by keeping its Army there”. “Nepalis were blocked from going there after India stationed its Army,” he said.

“India has deployed its troops in Kalapani since 1962 and our rulers in the past hesitated to raise the issue,” he said, asserting, “We will reclaim and get them back.”

The prime minister asserted that the Nepal government will make political and diplomatic efforts to reclaim the territory.

Oli also expressed the hope that India will “follow the path of truth, shown by Satya Meva Jayate, which is mentioned in the Ashoka Chakra, the national symbol of India”.

The prime minister’s remarks came a day after the Cabinet headed by him endorsed a new political map showing Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura under Nepal’s territory.

Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali said the official map of Nepal will soon be made public by the Ministry of Land Management. The move announced by Gyawali came weeks after he said that efforts were on to resolve the border issue with India through diplomatic initiatives.

Nepal''s ruling Nepal Communist Party lawmakers have also tabled a special resolution in Parliament demanding return of Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh to Nepal.

The Lipulekh pass is a far western point near Kalapani, a disputed border area between Nepal and India. Both India and Nepal claim Kalapani as an integral part of their territory - India as part of Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district and Nepal as part of Dharchula district.

Gyawali last week summoned the Indian Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra and handed over a diplomatic note to him to protest against the construction of a key road connecting the Lipulekh pass with Dharchula in Uttarakhand.

India has said that the recently-inaugurated road section in Pithoragarh district in Uttarakhand lies completely within its territory. Indian Army chief Gen MM Naravane last week said that there were reasons to believe that Nepal objected to India''s newly-inaugurated road linking Lipulekh Pass with Dharchula in Uttarakhand at the behest of "someone else", in an apparent reference to a possible role by China on the matter.

He said there was no dispute whatsoever between India and Nepal in the area and road laid was very much within the Indian side.

The 80-KM-long strategically crucial road at a height of 17,000 KM along the border with China in Uttarakhand was thrown open by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh earlier this month.

Nepal has raised objection to the inauguration of the road, saying the "unilateral act" was against the understanding reached between the two countries on resolving the border issues. China on Tuesday said the Kalapani border issue is between India and Nepal as it hoped that the two neighbours could refrain from "unilateral actions" and properly resolve their disputes through friendly consultations.

After the endorsement of Nepal’s new map senior ruling party leader and member of Nepal Communist Party Standing Committee Ganesh Shah said the new move may escalate unnecessary tension between Nepal and India at a time when the country is fighting the coronavirus.

"The Nepal government should soon start a dialogue with India to resolve the matter through political and diplomatic moves," he said.

The new map includes 335-km land area including Limpiyadhura in the Nepalese territory.

The new map was drawn on the basis of the Sugauli Treaty of 1816 signed between Nepal and then the British India government and other relevant documents, which suggests Limpiyadhura, from where the Kali river originated, is Nepal''s border with India, The Kathmandu Post quoted an official at the Ministry of Land Reform and Management as saying.

India and Nepal are at a row after the Indian side issued a new political map incorporating Kalapani and Lipulekh on its side of the border in October last year.

The tension further escalated after India inaugurated the road link connecting Kailash Mansarovar, a holy pilgrimage site situated at Tibet, China, that passes through the territory belonging to Nepal.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
Dr P A Hameed Padubidri
January 16,2025

saudirijuju6.jpg

The depth of tie between India and Saudi Arabia dates back to the time immemorial. Both nations share a robust and long-standing partnership built on mutual respect, shared interests, and cultural ties. This partnership has been further strengthened by bilateral engagements aimed at fostering cooperation in diverse areas like Hajj pilgrimage management, trade, business, education, human resources, technology, interfaith dialogue etc. 

Given the circumstances, the Indian Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs & Minority Affairs, Mr. Kiren Rijiju, embarked on a significant official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to attend the Hajj and Umrah Conference and sign the bilateral Hajj agreement for 2025. During this visit, the minister achieved various remarkable milestones that cherished a lasting reminiscence in the minds of the authorities, citizens & Indian diaspora. 

Hon. Minister, Kiren Rijiju, arrived in Riyadh King Khalid Intl. Airport on Jan 11, 2025 afternoon and was warmly welcomed by the Indian Ambassador, Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan and others with a floral boutique as a plaque of respect & dignity. He has been on 4-days official tour in the KSA that ended on Tuesday. The minister’s visit recapped and highlighted the deep-rooted friendship between India and Saudi Arabia. The visit commenced with a focus on enhancing Hajj arrangements and strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations. 

Engagement with the Indian Diaspora 

His overwhelmed zeal to engage with the Indian diaspora became evident as he attended the Indian Diaspora Interaction Program at once. The program was organized in the same evening by the Embassy of India at its auditorium in Riyadh. 

After receiving the grand felicitation from the Indian diaspora, he addressed the audience applauding their contribution to the growth & development of the Kingdom, and also emphasized the strong ties & strategic partnership between India and Saudi Arabia. 

He said-“Saudi Arabia is not merely a habitat to 2.6 million Indian diaspora, but also a key partner in augmenting global stability & prosperity”. 

“As a close ally of Saudi Arabia, it’s proud to say that India stood out as a center point of global power connected with almost every nation; unlike earlier, a sense of pride arose amongst the Indians as a positive paradigm is shown globally towards the Indians”, he added. 

The event featured cultural performances by community children and coincided with the celebrations of Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas and World Hindi Diwas. He praised the students stage performance & talents. He distributed prizes to the best achievers of various talent programs held in the international schools in Riyadh. 

Jeddah Visit & Participation at Hajj Conference & Exhibition 

Main Event: 

Mr. Rijiju participated in the opening ceremony of the fourth edition of Hajj Conference and Exhibition held on 13 Jan, 2025 in Jeddah. Prof. Abdulaziz Al-Wazzan, Deputy Minister for Umrah Affairs, along with other dignitaries received the minister and greeted with a warm reception upon his arrival in Jeddah 

Key Highlight: 

The exhibition focused on logistics, safety and enhancing the overall pilgrimage experience. The initiative was lauded for its comprehensive approach to enriching this sacred journey for millions of pilgrims worldwide. 

It’s a great privilege and honor that the Indian minister took part as one of the key stakeholders in the Conference-held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman that took place in Jeddah from 13–16 January, 2025. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah hosted the event emphasizing collaboration to enhance pilgrim services, improve more transparency and introduce innovative solutions. 

The event gathered prominent participants from 87 countries including India, comprising government ministers, diplomats, academics, scholars and others fostering a global dialogue on enhancing Hajj and Umrah services. It reflected the Kingdom’s commitment to modernizing Hajj operations while preserving its spiritual significance. 

Signing the Bilateral Hajj Agreement 2025 

Main Event: 

Mr. Rijiju met with Dr. Tawfiq Bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Minister for Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia, to finalize and sign the Hajj Agreement for 2025. The event served as a remarkable platform to sign the bilateral Hajj agreements. Both leaders emphasized their commitments to improving the services and facilities provided to pilgrims, ensuring a smooth and fulfilling Hajj experience. 

Key Highlight: 

India’s Hajj quota for 2025 has been set at 175,025 pilgrims by Saudi Arabia, and the Indian Minister sought an additional allocation of 10,000 slots for this year’s pilgrimage. It’s likely to be a fabulous milestone in the bilateral dialogue held with the Saudi Arabian government. 

Meeting with Muslim World League Secretary-General 

Indian Minister, Kiren Rijiju engaged in meaningful discussions with H.E. Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League. The conversation highlighted Dr. Al-Issa’s impactful visit to India, during which he championed the cause of interfaith harmony and global peace. Dr. Al-Issa commended India’s vibrant cultural heritage and its steadfast commitment to fostering diversity and inclusivity. Both leaders reaffirmed their dedication to strengthening ties between nations and promoting understanding and mutual respect among faiths, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts to build a more peaceful and unified world. 

Visit to Jeddah Hajj Terminal 

Main Event: 

The visit to the Jeddah Hajj Terminal was conducted to assess the readiness and logistical arrangements for Hajj 2025. This included a review of facilities such as immigration processing, baggage handling systems, and transport coordination for Hajj pilgrims. 

Key Highlight: 

Minister Rijiju examined the logistical arrangements, emphasizing the importance of ensuring comfort and efficiency for the large number of Indian pilgrims expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia. The minister’s inspection also focused on ensuring smooth operations for the nearly 175,025 Indian pilgrims of this year’s Hajj. This visit is a part of broader efforts to streamline operations and address any challenges ahead of the pilgrimage season. 

A Visit to the Holy City of Madinah & meeting with the Governor of the Region 

Key Event: 

Mr. Rijiju traveled to Madinah Al-Munawwarah, one of the holiest places, to inspect the arrangements for Indian pilgrims for Hajj 2025. He also gave visits to Quba Masjid & Qiblatain Masjid in the city. 

Main Highlight: 

The Minister reiterated India’s dedication to ensuring a spiritually fulfilling and seamless pilgrimage experience & maximum comforts for all pilgrims. 

A high-level meeting was held by the minister with HRH. Saud bin Khalid Al Faisal, Deputy Governor of the Al Madinah Region. The discussions revolved around Hajj preparations and enhancing India-Saudi Arabia collaboration to provide a memorable and smooth experience for pilgrims. 

The Indian minister’s meeting with H.H. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistic Services, was another milestone achieved during his visit. Both ministers explored ways to strengthen cooperation in the transport sector, ensuring safe and efficient movement for pilgrims during Hajj. 

Strengthening Parliamentary and Cultural Ties 

Another significant event that’s evident during his trip was his meeting with H.H. Maj. Gen. Abdulrahman Snitan A. Al-Harbi, Member of the Shura Council and Chairman of the Saudi-India Parliamentary Friendship Committee. Bilateral dialogue was held between the two prominent leaders that focused on enhancing bilateral ties through student exchange programs, cultural exchanges, and tourism. Minister Rijiju extended an invitation to Saudi students to study in India and encouraged Saudis to explore India’s cultural diversity. 

Visit to Diriyah – A UNESCO World Heritage Site 

The Union Minister Kiren Rijiju visited Diriyah-a historical place & UNESCO World Heritage Site-in Riyadh. Diriyah holds immense cultural importance as the birthplace of the Saudi state and the original home of the royal Al Saud family. The At-Turaif District within Diriyah, once the center of power for the Al Saud dynasty, showcases traditional Najdi architecture and is a key attraction. Mr. Rijiju expressed his gratitude for the warm hospitality extended by the Saudi hosts and appreciated the opportunity to witness this remarkable testament to the Kingdom’s heritage. 

In conclusion, the Indian Minister for Parliamentary & Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju’s visit to Saudi Arabia marked a significant step toward deepening the multifaceted relationship between the two nations. From finalizing the Hajj Agreement to exploring avenues for cultural, educational, and economic collaboration, the visit showcased the shared commitment of India and Saudi Arabia to fostering peace, mutual understanding, and progress. 

This visit will undoubtedly pave the way for stronger bilateral ties and a brighter future for both nations. If i say in the minister’s expression, this will certainly strengthen the people-to-people bond between our two great countries. 

This is a special report by Dr P A Hameed Padubidri, a lawyer, freelance writer, social worker, legal advisor based in Riyadh. He may be reached at [email protected] 

saudirijuju1.jpg

saudirijuju10.jpg

saudirijuju2.jpg

saudirijuju3.jpg

saudirijuju4.jpg

saudirijuju5.jpg

saudirijuju7.jpg

saudirijuju8.jpg

saudirijuju9.jpg

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
January 14,2025

metamodi.jpg

New Delhi: Social media giant Meta is set to get a summons from a Parliamentary Standing Committee over its boss Mark Zuckerberg's remark on the 2024 Indian general election. Nishikant Dubey, BJP MP and chairman of the House panel on Communication and Information Technology, said Meta would be summoned on grounds of spreading misinformation.

"Misinformation on a democratic country maligns its image. The organisation would have to apologise to the Parliament and the people here for this mistake," Mr Dubey said in a post on X.

In a podcast on January 10, the 40-year-old Facebook co-founder said the Covid pandemic had led to an erosion of trust in incumbent governments the world over. He incorrectly cited India's example in this connection. "2024 was a very big election year around the world and all these countries, India, had elections. The incumbents basically lost every single one. There is some sort of a global phenomenon - whether it was because of inflation or the economic policies to deal with Covid or just how the governments dealt with Covid. It seems to have had this effect that's global," he said.

Soon after, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw fact-checked Zuckerberg's remark and said the people of India had reaffirmed their trust in the NDA led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Lok Sabha election held last year.

"As the world's largest democracy, India conducted the 2024 elections with over 640 million voters. People of India reaffirmed their trust in NDA led by PM @narendramodi Ji's leadership. Mr. Zuckerberg's claim that most incumbent governments, including India in 2024 elections, lost post-COVID is factually incorrect," Mr Vaishnaw, who handles portfolios of Railways, Information and Broadcasting and Electronics and Information Technology in the Modi 3.0 government, said in a post on X.

"From free food for 800 million, 2.2 billion free vaccines, and aid to nations worldwide during COVID, to leading India as the fastest-growing major economy, PM Modi's decisive 3rd-term victory is a testament to good governance and public trust. Meta, it's disappointing to see misinformation from Mr. Zuckerberg himself. Let's uphold facts and credibility," he added.

The ruling BJP, which had scored thumping victories in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha polls, suffered some setbacks in the general election last year and ended below the majority mark. The NDA alliance, however, crossed the magic figure comfortably with key allies bolstering the BJP's numbers. A united Opposition led by the Congress did make gains, but fell well short of the numbers required to turn the tables. With Modi 3.0, Prime Minister Modi became only the second Indian Prime Minister after Jawaharlal Nehru to get the top post for three consecutive terms.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
January 23,2025

Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane on Thursday launched into a vitriolic flow attacking Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, who was discharged from Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital on Tuesday -- five days after a knife attack on him at his Bandra residence.

"Look at what Bangladeshis are doing in Mumbai. They entered Saif Ali Khan's house. Earlier they used to stand at the crossings of the roads, now they have started entering houses," ANI reported Rane say.

The minister continued, "Maybe he came to take him (Saif) away. It is good, garbage should be taken away."

He also cast doubt on the veracity of the attack saying that Saif was 'dancing while walking', making him doubt if the actor had actually been stabbed, or if it was all an act.

He also managed to bring in a Hindu-Muslim angle to the situation, claiming that when actors like Shah Rukh Khan or Saif Ali Khan get hurt then everyone talks about it, but when "a Hindu actor like Sushant Singh Rajput is tortured, no one comes forward to say anything".

Rane continued his rant, saying "Mumbra's Jeetuddin (Jitendra Awhad) and Baramati's Tai (Supriya Sule) did not come forward to say anything... They are only worried about Saif Ali Khan, Shah Rukh Khan's son and Nawab Malik...," and questioned, "Have you ever seen them worrying about any Hindu artist?"

He then asked people to "pay attention" to such things.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.