Nepal, a proxy protester, warns army chief general MM Naravane, hinting at China

General MM Naravane said that Nepal was acting “at someone’s behest.” (Proceedings)

New Delhi:

Less than a week after Nepal objected to India building a new highway, Army Chief General MM Naravane suggested that it is actually China that is creating a hot spot between Delhi and Kathmandu. “I don’t know what they’re really stirring up. There is reason to believe that they could have raised this issue at someone else’s behest and that is a great possibility, “the chief said at an online conference today.

Last Friday, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the 80-kilometer (50-mile) highway from Uttarakhand to the Lipu Lekh Pass high in the Himalayas via video link. The pass is claimed by Nepal on the basis of an 1816 treaty defining its western border with India, which has rejected that position and also Kathmandu’s claim that the adjacent Kalapani area is part of its territory.

Nepal’s Foreign Ministry last week condemned working on the new path as a “unilateral act” that “runs counter to the understanding reached between the two countries … that a solution to border problems would be sought through of negotiations. ” He had also summoned the Indian ambassador to register a protest.

At today’s online event organized by a group of experts, the Army Chief emphasized that the territory of Nepal lies to the east of the Kali River, while its west side is Indian Territory. “There is no dispute about that. The road we have built is west of the river. “

The army chief’s apparent references to China as causing tension with Nepal occur when troops from India and China have clashed in Ladakh and Sikkim. However, the chief said that these attacks were not a point of great alarm. “You are getting to know where the confrontation has occurred. Daily, we meet at 10 different locations, which is absolutely normal. It is only in one or two places where this has happened. And this happens from time to time. It also happens when there is a change of commanders on the ground, “he said.

(Within the contributions of the agencies)