Tension escalates after Nepal's new map shows 3 indian territories

New Delhi:After Nepalese Parliament passed the amendment to include the new political map featuring areas of Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura in the Constitution of Nepal, India on Saturday said that the artificial enlargement of claims is not tenable and also violative of current understanding to hold talks on outstanding boundary issues.

In response to media queries on the passing of Constitutional Amendment Bill revising the Coat of Arms of Nepal by the House of Representatives, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, "We have noted that the House of Representatives of Nepal has passed a constitution amendment bill for changing the map of Nepal to include parts of Indian territory. We have already made our position clear on this matter."This artificial enlargement of claims is not based on historical fact or evidence and is not tenable, he said.

"It is also violative of our current understanding to hold talks on outstanding boundary issues," the spokesperson added.Nepal passed it with a majority of 258 votes out of 275, while no member voted against the bill.A two-third majority of the 275-member Lower House was required to pass the bill.

Major Opposition parties including Nepali Congress, Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal and Rastriya Prajatantra Party voted in favour of the government bill to amend Schedule 3 of theConstitution to update the national emblem by incorporating the new controversial map.On June 9, the Nepalese Parliament unanimously endorsed a proposal to consider the constitution amendment bill to pave way for endorsing the new map.(UNI)