Nepal leaders begin debate on new map

New Delhi: Nepal’s parliament on Tuesday started debating a constitution amendment bill which provides for changing the country’s political map, showing Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura under its territory, India’s strong reservations on the matter notwithstanding.

The minister for law, justice and parliamentary affairs, Shivamaya Thumbhangphe, tabled the bill for discussion in parliament. ET had reported on Tuesday that India wanted Nepal to adopt a more flexible approach rather than taking an adamant posture and creating an atmosphere for talks on the issue.

The constitution amendment bill was to be tabled in parliament last month but it could not proceed further after Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said he wanted to hold an all-party meeting to discuss the matter. Experts told ET that Oli wanted to secure his political position within the country through this bill.


The bill seeks to amend the political map of Nepal included in schedule III of the constitution. A two-thirds majority vote is required in parliament to amend the Nepalese constitution.

Parliament members belonging to the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) and opposition parties are taking part in the discussion. The NCP commands a two-thirds majority in the national assembly, but it needs support from other parties to get the constitution amendment proposal through the lower house, as it falls short of about 10 seats. The Nepali Congress, the main opposition party, has decided to vote in favour of the bill.

Nepal had last month released the revised political and administrative map of the country, laying claim over the strategically key areas of Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura.

The country’s foreign minister Pradeep Gyawali said on Tuesday that Nepal was still waiting for a response from India on holding talks to resolve the border dispute. “We have expressed time and again that Nepal wants to sit at the table to resolve this problem,” Gyawali told The Associated Press.

“We are waiting for formal negotiations so that these two countries with... a very unique type of partnership can develop a more inspiring relationship that reflects the requirements of the 21st century,” said Gyawali.