Armed forces veterans of Uttarakhand are of the view that India and Nepal should solve the boundary issue in the border district of Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand with mutual understanding and talks.

Amid border row with India, the Nepal Government on Monday had endorsed a new map in which the Lipulekh and Kalapani areas which fall in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand are shown as part of Nepalese territory.

Terming the action of Nepal government unwarranted, Lieutenant General (Retd) Gambhir Singh Negi opined that Nepal is under pressure from neighbouring China to act against Indian interests.

He said that Lipulekh and Kalapani have always been part of India and Nepal probably acted on the directive of China when India recently constructed a road in the strategically important area. The area falls on a tri-junction where the international boundaries of India, Nepal and China meet. “I think China is under duress due to pressure on its economy due to novel Coronavirus pandemic.

The whole world is questioning dubious role of China in the pandemic, industries are leaving the country. USA has increased its naval presence in South China Sea and there is unrest in Hong Kong.

 All these things have put pressure on China and to divert the attention, China has intensified its anti India stand. Recent increase in ceasefire violations on LoC in Jammu and Kashmir and instances of border violation by China on its border with India are evidences of this ploy. China is also putting pressure on Nepal to adopt anti India stance,’’ he said.

Lt Gen Negi however added that given the historic and cultural relations between India and Nepal, both the countries would resolve the issue. Another veteran, Brigadier (Retd), R S Rawat also shared Lt Gen Negi’s view that China is prompting Nepal to raise the boundary issue.

He said that the Kali river forms the boundary between India and Nepal and due to its changing course, the issue has cropped up. Brigadier Rawat opined that the issue is chiefly cartographic and should be resolved amicably by the two countries.

He added that China has nefarious imperialistic designs and is escalating tension in the region and Nepal is only playing a balancing game between its two big neighbours. “The border issue between India and Nepal can be solved by meeting of surveyors of the two nations,’’ he said.