Nepalese PM K P Sharma Oli told Army chief General M M Naravane on Friday that he was sure the two countries would resolve their border differences through dialogue. During a courtesy call by Gen Naravane, PM K P Sharma Oli told India and Nepal had a “long-standing special relationship” and “good friendship” while expressing confidence that the issues between the two would be resolved through dialogue.
There has been a distinct chill in the bilateral relationship since Nepal issued a new political map that claimed Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh of Uttarakhand as part of its territory earlier this year. Gen Naravane, who was earlier conferred the honorary rank of ‘General of the Nepali Army’ by President Bidya Devi Bhandari during his three-day visit, told Oli that he would work to further strengthen defence cooperation between the two countries.
During his visit, Gen Naravane also handed over Rs 5 lakh to Lance Havildar Dil Bahadur Chettri (retired), who was awarded a Mahavir Chakra for gallantry during the 1971 war with Pakistan while serving in 4/5 Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army.
“Chettri (70) was instrumental in capturing a well-fortified machine gun post at Atgram during the advance towards Sylhet in erstwhile East Pakistan (now Bangladesh),” an officer said.
