Kathmandu : Members of Parliament have expressed concern over Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Nepali territory encroached upon by India. They raised questions regarding his entry into Nepali territory without prior information, violating diplomatic norms, and breaching international boundaries.

After a meeting of the House of Representatives, parliamentarians expressed their concerns about the unauthorised entry of the Indian Prime Minister into Nepali territory. Main opposition party UML’s lawmaker Thakur Gaire criticised Prime Minister Modi for violating norms and visiting the Kalapani area, which belongs to Nepal. He stated that the Kalapani, Limpiyadhura, and Lipulekh regions are part of Nepal’s territory and emphasized that the Indian Army must return from Kalapani. UML MP Gaire added that Modi’s visit to Nepali territory goes against diplomatic norms and international boundaries.

Madhav Sapkota, a parliamentarian from the ruling Maoist Center, highlighted the need for Nepal to increase diplomatic activity and its role in response to the mention of Modi’s visit to the Kalapani region. Modi’s remarks have led the neighboring country to believe in boosting diplomatic activity. He stated, “From a diplomatic perspective, our active role and responsibility are crucial, and a strategic approach to diplomatic activity is essential. I believe the government should take this matter seriously, and I hope that Nepali diplomats will gain the trust of our neighbors.”

Sapkota further emphasized the importance of diplomatic efforts and said, “I want to stress that Nepal must earn the trust of our neighbors and increase our diplomatic activity.”

“Ramhari Khatiwada, the Chairman of the State Affairs Committee, along with Congress MPs, stated that there is no need for an official visit by Indian Prime Minister Modi to Nepal since it has not been formalized. He mentioned that if such a political visit had occurred in Nepali territory, it would require respect and honor. He said, ‘It hasn’t been entered officially by the state, so the State Affairs Committee hasn’t taken much notice of it.’ He added, ‘If it happened as a political visit from the government’s side, then it would have required respect and honor.’

Deepak Bahadur Singh, a Rastriya Prajatantra Party MP, expressed his concern regarding the unannounced entry of the Prime Minister of a neighboring country into Nepali territory. He criticised the government, saying, ‘Unfortunately, we are Nepalis. Even though the Prime Minister of a neighboring nation enters Nepali territory without providing any information, the government remains passive and unresponsive. What can we expect from this government?’

Regarding Modi’s entry into Nepali territory, Ravi Lamichhane, the chairman and MP of the Rashtriya Swatantra Party, had sought a response from the government.”

In Thursday’s parliamentary meeting, RSP Chair Lamichhane spoke about the confusion surrounding Modi’s visit to Nepali territory, stating that the government needs to inform the parliament. He mentioned that when our friendly nation’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, comes to our region, the government neither offers any welcome nor provides any information to the country. He further added that this significant visit to our nation includes Gunji, where even the Chair’s desk lies within the marked map. We have confirmed it, and this Parliament has verified that within this marked map, our territory includes Gunji as well. This is why the news came that India’s Prime Minister, a friend nation’s leader, visited there,” he said.

Earlier, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the Kalapani area early on Wednesday morning. He reached the Kuti-based Jolingkang, located in Nepali territory claimed by India, via helicopter at around 8:00 AM.

Modi performed religious rituals and had a glimpse of Mount Kailash in Jolingkang. After the Kailash darshan, he is expected to conduct local inspections in the disputed Nepali territory of Gunji, where Indian encroachment is reported. The program includes interactions with local residents of the Nepali disputed territories like Kuti, Navi, Gunji village, and Indian bordering areas, Nabalchu, and Garbyang villages, for mutual understanding.

Modi is also scheduled to meet with Indian army personnel, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Armed Border Force, and security officers in the Kalapani region. Around noon, he is expected to visit Jageshwar Dham in the Almora district for darshan (worship) and rituals. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is also accompanying Prime Minister Modi on his visit to the Kalapani region.

It is worth noting that there is no official information available to Nepal regarding the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to the disputed border area. The District Administration Office has informed that they have received no official information about the visit of the Indian Prime Minister in the disputed border region. Kiran Joshi, Chief District Officer of Darchula, stated that they had received unofficial information about the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to the disputed region but no official information had been received.

Indian Prime Minister Modi’s visit to these areas has restricted entry for Nepali citizens.