Govt to take up map issue with China

The government has said that it would adopt a diplomatic channel to talk about the map issue with China.

China on Aug 28 released the 2023 edition of the standard map of China, which continues to show the entire State of Arunachal Pradesh and the Aksai Chin region with China’s border, provoking India. India has reacted furiously to the map.

In a separate context, China, which shares its border with Nepal, has demonstrated Nepal’s old map. Nepal adopted a new political map in 2020 incorporating the Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura. The Chinese move, according to experts, indicates that China is yet to accept Nepal’s new political map. Experts are suggesting the government take up this issue with China diplomatically.

On Wednesday, Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma said the government would adopt a diplomatic channel to talk about the map China released recently. During a news conference, Minister Sharma who is also the spokesperson for the government said, "Our official map is pointed at the border and was passed by parliament unanimously. We need to talk through a diplomatic channel in which context China made its map public." 

In 2015, India and China had agreed to expand the border trade at Nathu La, Lipulekh Pass and Shipki La without consultations with Nepal. Later, Nepal’s government strongly reacted to the agreement writing diplomatic notes to both India and China. 

Meanwhile, India has lodged a strong protest through the diplomatic channels with the Chinese side on the new map.

People's representatives urged to prioritize good governance

President of Sustainable Development and Good Governance under the National Assembly, Prakash Panth, has urged people's representatives to engage in initiatives that promote good governance.

According to him, good governance is still not a priority of people's representatives when it is a prime need of the hour. "People's representatives are highly expected to engage in efforts aiming to combat malpractices, irregularities and corruption so as to establish good governance."

The parliamentary committee president said," Parliamentary committees are also needed to act efficiently against corruption, irregularities and mismanagement."

He said efforts to promote good governance and achieve the sustainable development goals have been overshadowed due to competition among people's representatives and political leaders to secure larger budgets for their respective electoral constituencies.

Stating the 16th five-year periodic plan has accorded top priorities to good governance, social justice and prosperity, President Panth stressed the need of importance for people's representatives to advocate for and contribute to establishing good governance in administrative sphere and in judiciary.  

Meanwhile, the Committee has constituted a three-member sub-panel under the coordination of its member Ramesh Jung Rayamajhi to monitor and assess the status of good governance.

It will also hold discussions with state bodies and the stakeholders concerned on the matter.

The subcommittee comprises Narayan Prasad Dahal and Sharada Devi Bhatta as its members.

UK Ambassador Fenn calls on PM Dahal

British Ambassador to Nepal Rob Fenn paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Wednesday.

During the meeting held at the official residence of the Prime Minister in Baluwatar, they held a discussion on a wide array of issues ranging from bilateral interests to the Nepal-UK cooperation, said Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sewa Lamsal.

 

SAARC Secretary General pays farewell call on PM Dahal

Secretary General of SAARC Esala Ruwan Weerakoon paid a farewell call on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Wednesday.

In the meeting held at Baluwatar, the two discussed various issues relating to the SAARC.

The Prime Minister applauded the leadership of Weerakoon as the SAARC Secretary General and his role in advancing the SAARC process, according to the Prime Minister's Secretariat.