Nepal's parliament has passed an important bill to change the political map

Kathmandu, Saturday 13 June 2020

Nepal's parliament on Saturday (June 13th) passed an important bill to change the country's political map. At the same time, hopes for talks between the two countries over the ongoing border dispute with India have almost vanished.

Now we have to see what India's next step will be. Notably, this new map of Nepal claims strategic areas such as Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura on the Indian border.

After passing through the lower house, the bill will now be sent to the National Assembly, where it will have to go through the same process again.

Once the bill is passed by the National Assembly, it will be sent to the President for approval, which will then be incorporated into the Constitution.

Parliament on June 9 unanimously agreed to consider the bill's proposal, paving the way for the new map to be approved.

The government on Wednesday (June 10) formed a nine-member committee of experts to collect historical facts and evidence related to the area.

Tensions between India and Nepal were strained when Rajnath Singh inaugurated the strategically important 800-kilometer road connecting Uttarakhand to Lipulekh Pass with Dharrchula and Lipulekh Pass.

Nepal reacted strongly to the inauguration of the road, claiming that the road passes through Nepali territory. India has denied Nepal's claims, saying the route is located on its territory.

Nepal last month issued a revised political and administrative map of the country, asserting its claim to these strategically important areas. India has been saying that these three areas belong to it.

Upon the release of the new map by Kathmandu, India strongly warned Nepal not to attempt to "artificially exaggerate" the regional claims.