In the end Nepal softened, a meeting held by video conferencing between officials of the two countries

Kathmandu, Monday 17 August 2020

Relations between the two countries have softened due to the map dispute in Nepal. A meeting between officials of the two countries was held in Kathmandu on Monday. The conversation with video conferencing reviewed the ongoing development work in Nepal with the help of India.

Nepal's Foreign Secretary Shankar Das Bairagi and Indian Ambassador to Nepal Vijay Mohan Kwatra attended the meeting, which was held via video conferencing due to the Koro epidemic.

The meeting lasted for about an hour and discussed the progress of various ongoing projects in Nepal with the help of India. The Indian Ambassador assured that he would not back down with the help of Nepal and would continue to cooperate in other projects as well.

It may be mentioned here that Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on May 8 inaugurated a jointly important 80 km long road connecting Gharchula in Uttarakhand through Lipulekh. Since then, relations between the two countries have been strained.

Nepal protested, claiming that the road passes through its territory. Shortly afterwards, Nepal unveiled a new political map showing Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura in its territory. In June, parliament approved a new political map of the country.

Tensions between the two countries have been running high ever since. Meanwhile, Nepal's Prime Minister P Sharma Oli called PM Narendra Modi on August 15 to wish India a happy 74th Independence Day. Since then the relationship has begun to improve. The meeting was held between the two countries following the phone call.