‘India's goodwill comes with no strings attached. Nepal is free to act independently in international affairs but must be vigilant & learn from Sri Lanka & other nations,’ Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat warned Nepal
Bengaluru: In a message to Nepal, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat warned it to be 'vigilant' of the economic superpower and said that unlike Beijing, India's goodwill does not come with strings attached.
General Rawat also took a dig at China while advising Nepal to learn from Sri Lanka's experience in dealing with Beijing.
General Rawat said that Nepal is free to act independently in international affairs but must remain cautious while signing agreements with "other countries" in the region.
"India's goodwill comes with no strings attached. Nepal is free to act independently in international affairs but must be vigilant & learn from Sri Lanka & other nations which have also signed agreements with other countries in the region," ANI quoted him as saying.
It should be noted that Prime Minister KP Sharma oli led Communist government in Nepal is considered China-leaning. Earlier this year, the diplomatic ties between India and Nepal had come to a new low after Oli government included Indian territories of Limpiyadhura, Kalapani and Lipulekh in its official map.
Oli’s move was criticised by his own countrymen.
"Nepal is not only a landlocked country, but also India locked as it is surrounded by India from the three sides. The situation will be vulnerable. If India retaliates, it will have a huge economic impact on the country,” a top Nepali economist had said.
He had further added, "Nepal-India relations should not be allowed to damage and there is a need for early negotiations and a dialogue to resolve the issue at the earliest".
The Shiva Sena too had hit out at Oli for his remarks. It had said, "Today, he has claimed Ayodhya and Lord Ram are Nepalese. Tomorrow, he will claim Babur also as being a Nepalese. Lord Ram belongs to the entire world, but the Ram Janmabhoomi Ayodhya belongs only to India. Had Lord Ram been in Nepal today, like he had killed Ravana and destroyed sins, he would have done the same thing in case of Hindudrohi (Hindu-treacherous) Oli.”
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