Does it really matter where Buddha was born? I thought his teachings were more important than himself, which is also one of his teachings.
In fact, Nepal and nepalese do not deserve Buddha. A land of meat eaters, where baby goats are slaughtered by jugular slice, in the most horrific way has not learnt a single lesson about non-violence from Buddha. More than 30% of indian hindus are vegeterians compared to barely 5% of nepalese. Jains have deep conviction over non-violence.

Nepalese are worried that with a statement like Buddha was an indian or Buddha was born in India, India will take away all related tourists and their cash, leaving Nepalese hands' empty.
It is not that Nepalese take pride in and practice Buddha's teachings. For most nepalese. Lumbini is just a visiting site.