Nepal up for border talks with India amid new map row

New Delhi : Nepal's foreign minister has said that he is still awaiting a response from India over the border talks to resolve the dispute that has strained relations between the South Asian neighbours.

Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali told The Associated Press in an interview on Tuesday that requests to talk were made in November and December last year, and again in May.

"We have expressed time and again that Nepal wants to sit at the table to resolve this problem," Gyawali said.

"We are waiting for formal negotiations so that these two countries with ... a very unique type of partnership can develop a more inspiring relationship that reflects the requirements of the 21st century."

Nepal MPs unanimously pass new Nepal Map

The Nepal House of representatives on Tuesday unanimously approved the new map in the parliament that covers India's some part as Nepal's territory.

The altered map will include Kalapani, Lipu Lekh and Limpiyadhura areas about which the Ministry of External Affairs says “lie completely within the territory of India”.

“We are for starting dialogue soon. The problem will be resolved through diplomacy. We are not trying other alternatives. It is not necessary to make either,” he said at the House of Representatives (HoR) meeting," said Pradeep Gyawali.

He said Kali river is the border between Nepal and India. “There is no reason to not accept Kali river as the border. We will hold dialogue on the basis of historic facts. We will have our rights on our land.”

Nepal has already issued a new map including Limpiyadhura, Kalapani and Lipu Lekh.