Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Lawmakers have demanded that the government clarify in parliament whether Nepal has agreed to China’s proposed Global Security Initiative (GSI) and Global Civilization Initiative (GCI).
Speaking during the meeting of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, lawmakers asked for factual details regarding claims made in a press release issued by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs following Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s recent visit to China and his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Both ruling and opposition lawmakers called on the prime minister and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide answers in parliament. They hailed Prime Minister Oli for clearly stating during his meeting with Chinese President Xi that Lipulek, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani are a part of Nepali territory. However, they expressed concern over China’s statement suggesting Nepal had also agreed to security strategies and military cooperation under the GSI.
Nepali Congress lawmaker Dilendra Prasad Badu said it was positive for the Prime Minister to raise the Lipulek issue during his meeting with President Xi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. He said Oli’s objection to the India-China agreement to use the Lipulek route for trade purposes was important, as Nepal cannot accept such an arrangement.
Badu added that since the origin of the Mahakali River lies in Limpiyadhura, all land east of the river belongs to Nepal under the Sugauli Treaty. He termed Oli’s communication of this fact to the Chinese president as a diplomatic achievement. However, he questioned why and how the issue of the GSI, an item not even on the agenda, appeared in China’s official statement, and demanded that the foreign ministry clarify the matter in parliament.
CPN (Unified Socialist) lawmaker Prakash Jwala also said Prime Minister Oli must answer parliament regarding China’s claim that Nepal supported the GSI. “The Chinese foreign ministry’s press release following Oli’s meeting with President Xi stated that Nepal has endorsed the GSI. But Nepal has never been part of any security or military strategy and follows a non-aligned foreign policy,” he said. “Joining such initiatives could trap Nepal in a security dilemma. The GSI is objectionable for Nepal. The prime minister must provide clarification in parliament.”
Jwala also asked whether Oli had discussed the issue of Nepalis illegally recruited into the Russian military during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
CPN (Maoist Center) lawmaker Lekhnath Dahal criticized the government for failing to demonstrate adequate diplomatic capacity at the SCO Summit. Stressing the need for a unified national stance on foreign affairs, he said no individual should make unilateral decisions.
Dahal also said parliament should protest the India-China agreement to use the Lipulek area for trade without Nepal’s consent. He called on the Cabinet to formally register Nepal’s objection and suggested that the matter should be taken to the United Nations and even the International Court of Justice.
