Kathmandu: The government has stated that the political and administrative Map who were unanimously approved by Nepal’s parliament in 2020 have been recognized internationally.

In a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday, Nepal’s strong and clear position on its map was conveyed.

“The Nepali government believes that this Map deserves respect from our neighbors and the international community,” the statement issued by the foreign ministry said. Nepal’s map has been approved by the Nepali parliament, and the government is committed to it.

“In 2020, Nepal’s parliament unanimously approved the political and administrative Map, and Nepal’s stance is strong and clear,” the press note stated.

Nepal has also informed the international community that it is ready to engage in dialogue and diplomacy to resolve any border issues.

China has not included Nepal’s disputed territories in its new map. As the dispute escalates, the international community has issued statements reaffirming its official stance.

In this context, Nepal Communist Party (Maoist Center) spokesperson Agni Prasad Sapkota has stated that Nepal’s strong position on China’s new map, including the disputed territories, will be raised during Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s visit to China.

Speaking at a press conference held during the Party office Conference, Sapkota said that not revealing Nepal’s actual map is an important issue, and Prime Minister Dahal will raise it during his visit.

“Many important issues have arisen. Why did it come to this? Why wasn’t it resolved through diplomatic means? After the release of the statement, the previous governments have also informed the international community about this,” Sapkota said. “Our party’s chairman and honorable prime minister will also raise the issue during his visit to China. There will also be discussions on this matter.”

Sapkota had also stated that the government should clarify its position on China’s new map and inform the public about it.

When China released its new map, it did not include Nepal’s disputed territories. Nepal had issued a new map on Jestha 7, 2077 BS (May 20, 2020), including Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani, which India had included in its territory. While India has not accepted Nepal’s new map, and Indian security base camps are still residing in Nepali territory, China, too, has placed the old map outside the new map’s location.

According to China’s official media Global Times, the new map has been prepared on the basis of national border demarcation methods. Global Times also shared its tweet from its Twitter handle, confirming China’s new map, including Taiwan.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda is visiting China from September 23-27, but an official announcement is yet to be made.

Similarly, the Nepal Students’ Union, the student wing of the ruling Nepali Congress, on Thursday staged a protest outside the Embassy of China in Kathmandu accusing the northern neighbour of failing to recognise Nepal’s actual territories in its new map.

Student leaders carrying placards chanted slogans demanding the northern neighbour correct its map. They also submitted a memorandum to the embassy calling for an immediate rectification of the new map. The protesters were briefly detained by police.