NEW DELHI: Amid an ongoing India-Nepal diplomatic row, Indian Army Chief General MM Naravane on Friday said there has never been an issue about the tri-junction (of India-China-Nepal) and added that Nepal may have raised the issue at ‘someone else’s behest’.
Though he did not name China, the hint was amply clear as Beijing was the only interested party to it. Nepal has been protesting after India opened a road on May 8 till Lipulekh pass in Uttrakahand for connecting India with Kailash Mansarover in Tibet, China.
General Naravane was answering questions after a talk “COVID and Indian Army: Responses and Beyond” at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA).
He was asked a question by Vice Admiral Sekhar Sinha (retd) on why was Nepal protesting on “our road” across Lipulekh and why had it decided to set up a border post at the spot. “Do you see a link between Lipulekh and the recent clashes between the Indian and Chinese troops in Ladakh and Sikkim,” the Admiral asked.
The Army Chief said there was no contradiction in Lipulekh. “We have made a road west of the Kali river. Nepal has accepted its territory is to the east of Kali river. There has never been an issue about the tri-junction (Nepal is protesting that Lipulekh pass is not with India),” Naravane said.
“Nepal may have raised the issue at someone else’s behest,” he added.
However, he saw no connection between the face-offs and any other events.