Manisha Koirala urges India, Nepal citizens to stay civil

Amidst a strain in the ties between India and Nepal, actress Manisha Koirala has urged people of both the countries to avoid being “aggressive and disrespectful” towards each other. “A heartfelt request please let’s not be aggressive and disrespectful… we are in this situation together… our respective Govt’s will resolve the issue. In the meantime we can be civil… I remain hopeful,” she tweeted.

Earlier last week, Nepal’s Upper House of Parliament endorsed a proposal to discuss the constitution amendment bill to update the country’s map that incorporates parts of Indian territory. Nepal’s House of Representatives had on 10 June endorsed a proposal seeking consideration of a constitution amendment bill for change of country’s map after a lengthy discussion. Nepal has made offers to India to hold “diplomatic talks to resolve the territorial issue” between the two countries. New Delhi has said that the updated map is “not based on historical facts and evidence” and termed the claims by Nepal as artificial enlargement. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava also said that the move is against the current understanding to hold talks on outstanding boundary issues.