No One Can Break 'Roti-Beti' Ties of India – Nepal: Rajnath Singh

The Defense Minister, Rajnath Singh, said that the ties between India and Nepal were not ordinary. “These two nations are bound together by ‘Roti-Beti’ and no power in world can break it”, Singh said while commenting on recent strain between the two neighbors.

Speaking at a virtual rally amid strain over Nepal clearing a new map that includes parts of Indian Territory Rajnath Singh said on Monday, "If there is any misunderstanding between India and Nepal, then we will sort it out through dialogue”. The Defense Minister stressed, "There is some misunderstanding in our neighbor Nepal on the road. The road built by BRO (Border Road Organisation) in Lipulekh is very much in Indian Territory”.

The lower house of Nepal's parliament approved a new map including Indian Territory on Sunday. The map shows a sliver of land on the east of river Kali, jutting out from the northwestern tip of Nepal. The area includes the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand and also Limpiyadhura and Kalapani, which are highly strategic areas that India has guarded since the 1962 war with China. However, terming as an unilateral act, India rejected the Nepal’s and said that the map was neither based on historical facts nor evidence. Singh said, "We have social, geographical, historic, cultural and even spiritual ties with Nepal. Our relationship with Nepal is that of roti-beti (ties involving livelihood and marriage). I can tell you with confidence that there cannot be any bitterness among Indians for Nepal. It is a deep relationship. We will resolve the issues through dialogue”.

The recent statements by the Indian Defense Minister came after an Indian was shot dead in firing by Nepali border guards on villages from Bihar who walked across the border - traditionally open but currently restricted because of the virus lockdown - to speak to the Nepali daughter-in-law of one of the men.