Acharya said in an interview to India Today that the Indo-Nepal Foreign Ministry has clarified the situation regarding the statements of Lord Ram and Buddha.
In the midst of border dispute and war of words, India and Nepal will hold a review meeting for the first time after 9 months today through video conferencing. Both the countries will review projects starting and running in Nepal on behalf of India. However, the two countries may also discuss some other issues, including the border dispute. The Ministry of External Affairs from Nepal will include Secretary Shankar Das Bairagi. The Indian contingent will be led by India’s Ambassador to Nepal Vinay Mohan Quatra.
Meanwhile, Nepal’s Ambassador to India Nilambar Acharya has said that Lord Ram and Buddha do not divide the two countries, they unite. Recently, the Prime Minister of Nepal had said that Lord Rama belongs to Nepal. At the same time, the Nepalese Foreign Minister had objected to the Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar calling Lord Buddha an Indian.
Faith in Lord Ram and Buddha of both countries: Acharya
Acharya said in an interview to India Today that the Indo-Nepal Foreign Ministry has clarified the situation regarding the statements of Lord Ram and Buddha. “We both believe in Lord Rama and Buddha. It is also believed that Lumbini is the birthplace of Buddha. The Ram and Buddha circuits are projects of mutual coordination between the two countries. All these things do not distance us, but bring us closer. We should avoid creating any kind of controversy on these issues,” He said.
Eighth conversation between the two countries
In 2016, the then Prime Minister of Nepal Pushp Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda came to India. The two countries devised mechanisms to resolve mutual disputes and enhance cooperation. On August 17, the 8th dialogue will take place under this same mechanism. In recent times, due to border dispute and other issues, relations between India and Nepal were soured. Nepal Prime Minister Oli also made a statement on the Bhoomi Poojan of Ram temple in Ayodhya.
How the dispute started between the two countries
India released its new map on November 2, 2019. Nepal had objected to this and called Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh areas as its territory. On 18 May this year, Nepal released its new map claiming these three areas as their territories. It passed this map in both houses of Parliament. After this, the tension between the two countries increased. In May-June, Nepal increased the number of troops along the borders with India. Nepali soldiers also fired on the people of India along the Indo-Nepal border in Bihar.
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