Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Diplomatic experts have suggested that the government summon Chinese Ambassador Chen Song to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to seek clarification regarding China’s new map which shows Nepal’s Kalapani, Lipu Lek and Limpiyadhura areas – encroached upon by India – in the Indian territory.
As preparations are being made for Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s upcoming visit to China, they urged the government to promptly address the matter. The experts also said it is essential for the foreign ministry to engage with the Chinese envoy to determine whether this act was intentional or due to ignorance. While some experts view this as an act of Chinese assertiveness, others suggest that China may have used Nepal’s old map due to Nepal’s failure to provide requested evidence in the past.
Nepal previously sent protest notes to both China and India after these two countries reached an understanding to open a new entry route through territory claimed by Nepal without informing Nepal. In response, China had requested Nepal to provide supporting documents, while India chose to disregard Nepal’s protest note.
During that time, the Foreign Ministry had also summoned the Chinese envoy for discussions. Mahendra Bahadur Pandey of CPN-UML served as the Foreign Minister at that time, while late Nepali Congress leader Sushil Koirala was leading the government.
“It is necessary to issue a diplomatic note to China, stating that the PM’s visit to China will be postponed if the map issue remains unresolved,” Pandey suggested. “Major and powerful countries often overlook such situations in small countries due to their economic ties.”
While some experts believe that the map issue will be discussed during PM Dahal’s visit to China, others argue that sending a diplomatic note is essential to pave the way for such discussions.
Dinesh Bhattarai, a former ambassador and adviser to two prime ministers, agreed with Pandey and said that the government should promptly send a diplomatic note to China to seek clarification regarding the map issue. He also emphasized the need to activate Nepali embassies at the same pace as the two countries acted to make the trilateral border into a bilateral one. Bhattarai also stressed the importance of sending a diplomatic note before PM Dahal’s departure for China.
While some experts believe that the map issue will be discussed during PM Dahal’s visit to China, others argue that sending a diplomatic note is essential to pave the way for such discussions.
Former Foreign Minister and UML leader Bimala Paudyal Rai said the foreign ministry’s permanent mechanism needs to be active during such times. “It is crucial to understand why China used Nepal’s old map,” she added. “If Nepal has failed to inform the international community about our new map, it is our mistake. Otherwise, we should formally inquire why China still used an outdated map.”
The spokesperson for the ruling CPN (Maoist Center), Agni Prasad Sapkota, downplayed the situation, suggesting that the issue would be addressed during the Prime Minister’s visit to China.
Dr. Mahesh Maskey, former Nepali ambassador to China, suggested that Nepal should first inform China about the situation instead of immediately sending a diplomatic note. “We had formed a task force to study the matter after China consented to India’s proposal to open an entry point through Nepali territory,” Maskey said. “The task force submitted its report, but we decided to forward the report to China with supporting evidence. I am not aware of whether Nepal sent this supporting evidence to China.”
Another former Nepali ambassador to China, Rajeshwar Acharya, recommended activating the Nepali mission in Beijing. He also suggested that Prime Minister Dahal should personally inform Chinese leaders about Nepal’s new map issued in 2020.
