New Delhi: Amid the internal political turmoil in Nepal, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Tuesday said Nepal and India ties are “very good”. At the same time, he also sent a message to China stating, “We love our independence and freedom to decide on our internal affairs, and we don’t want any type of interference.”
An interview of Nepal PM Oli by an Indian channel has been published recently on the website of ‘The Kathmandu Post’ titled as- Has Oli killed two birds with one stone—or two.
Nepali PM KP Sharma Oli said during the interview that the year 2021 will be a year when we can declare that there is no problem between Nepal and India. He further said Nepal has very good relations with India. In addition, Oli stated, Kalapani, Lipulkekh and Limpiyadhura belong to Nepal and “this is the only minor problem” between Nepal and India.
According to Kathmandu Post, a leader of the ruling Nepal Communist Party said, this interview was a part of Oli’s thoughtful strategy. With this he has killed two birds with one stone. Firstly, he tried to satisfy the Nepali people by referring to Nepali nationalism and on the other Oli said he wants to work together with Delhi and he does not want any conflict with India.
Nepali PM is with India
On the condition of anonymity, a member of the Central Committee said that KP Sharma Oli has conveyed to the people of Nepal that he is with India because he has declared elections in Nepal and needs support. Significantly, this interview of KP Sharma Oli has come at a time when Nepalese Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali is visiting India on 14 January.
No compromise with sovereignty
Before the visit of the Foreign Minister of Nepal to New Delhi, the Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli has said that his country will not compromise on the level of sovereignty in relations with India or China. Negotiations on the border impasse are expected to remain focused in the Foreign Minister’s visit. Oli said, ‘We are not in a position to claim China or India’s territory. But we will claim our territories with our friends. Last year, the Oli government issued a new political map declaring three Indian regions as part of Nepal, after which the border standoff has started.
Oli also offered to resolve the ongoing dispute between India and China.
“If we can be instrumental to support them, help them to resolve the problems, we are ready,” Oli said.
On the domestic political crisis that led him to recommend the dissolution of the House of Representatives, Oli blamed former prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ for a split in the ruling Nepal Communist Party.
Oli also claimed that some elements of India are hatching a conspiracy to unseat him from office, but he ruled out Chinese hand in Nepal’s internal politics.