Misleading cartoon
-Embassy of India

Dear Editor,

The cartoon carried on the front page of the Post (Jan 2) regarding the alleged encroachment by India in the Susta area of Nepal is not only misleading but also in very poor taste, reminiscent more of the gutter press than the objective and respected newspaper that you doubtless want to be.

The scientific mapping of 98 percent of the India-Nepal border by the governments of India and Nepal has been completed. The remaining 2 percent, which includes Susta, is being addressed at the technical and diplomatic levels by the two governments, which are committed to maintaining the status quo and tranquility in the area. The question of “encroachment” on “Nepali land” does not arise since the border in Susta is yet to be delineated. It is unfortunate that vested political interests in Nepal have chosen to disturb the peace and vitiate the friendly relations between the two countries by recklessly engaging in anti-India rhetoric, ignoring the facts presented by their own government.

These facts have been acknowledged clearly in the press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Nepal on December 28, 2007.

The prime minister of India, a leader and scholar respected the world over, presides over a government that has done, and continues to do, its utmost to help Nepal materially, politically and diplomatically through the difficult transition phase that Nepal is going through. In the context of India’s principled foreign policy and its determination to help Nepal and its people in every way through the transition to a democratic, peaceful and prosperous nation, we can only assert that we will continue this policy, ignoring attempts to garner cheap popularity as exemplified by the yellow journalism on display on the front page of your paper of January 2, 2008. We sincerely hope that this does not reflect The Kathmandu Post’s editorial objective for the new year.

Gopal Baglay
Spokesman, Embassy of India
Kathmandu