17 June 2020, Kathmandu
Nepali leaders and experts have called for dialogue and negotiations to resolve the differences between China and India in the border issue.
They made such remarks following the standoff between the Chinese and Indian border defense troops in Ladakh area on Monday night. The Indian side has confirmed the deaths of its 20 soldiers in the fierce physical fight.
CP Mainali, General Secretary of CPN(ML), said the loss of lives in the physical clash is unexpected and undesired incident.
“We desire that the leaders of both sides will sit in dialogue and will not only cool down the situation but can succeed to maintain the previously agreed status quo and can implement the high level understanding as per the bilateral boarder issue,” Mainali shared on Wednesday.
Stating that no side should dishonor the previous mutual understanding status quo, the leader wished for peace, friendship and cooperation between the two neighbours.
Recalling the latest border dispute between Nepal and India, the leader said Nepal wants a just and successful integration of the territory rather than the flash points.
He said that Nepal, a reputed nonaligned sovereign country, can play a positive role to maintain peace, friendship and cooperation among the three countries.
“We are for good friendly relations amongst us”, he remarked.
On Wednesday, the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged the Indian side to thoroughly investigate the clash, and restrain its military forces to prevent any provocative actions.
Experts from Nepal are of view that Nepal can play a role of bridge between the two neighbors China and India.
Madhu Raman Acharya, a former diplomat shared he was surprised to hear about casualties in the Ladakh sector, despite the agreed rules of engagement not to open fire except in self-defense.
“Hope the will de-escalate the tension through dialogue, which is important for peace and stability in the region,” Acharya tweeted.
He was of view that the Nepal government should express concern and ask both sides to engage in dialogue for keeping peace and stability in the region.
Former Nepali Ambassador to China Leela Mani Paudyal also stressed on de-escalation of the tension between the two neighbors.
In his tweet, Paudyal mentioned, “Let us raise voice for calling conflicting parties to take maximum restraint. No one benefits from conflict. Our common enemy is now COVID-19.”
