'Indian Virus Looks More Lethal Than Chinese, Italian': Nepal PM KP Oli

At a time when India-Nepal relations are already strained due to a dispute over the construction of a road, KP Oli, the prime minister of the former kingdom nation, has raked up another controversy.

Speaking in the Parliament on Tuesday, Oli held India responsible for the spread of COVID-19 in Nepal and said the infection was "more lethal" among the people coming from the neighbouring country as compared to those who came from Italy and China, NDTV reported.

Oli said, “Those who are coming from India through illegal channels are spreading the virus in the country and some local representatives and party leaders are responsible for bringing in people from India without proper testing.”

"It has become very difficult to contain Covid-19 due to the flow of people from outside. Indian virus looks more lethal than Chinese and Italian now. More are getting infected,” NDTV quoted him as saying.

In the same speech, Oli reiterated his country's claim on Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapanias after his cabinet endorsed a new map showing parts of India under its territory. While answering a question by the parliamentarians regarding the issue, Oli said that diplomatic efforts will be made to bring back the territories.

"As Prime Minister of the incumbent government, I want to appraise the honourable house that the issue of Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani won't be covered up, a conclusion will be drawn regarding it. We won't let this issue fade out and it will be sorted out through diplomatic talks making concrete efforts and the territories will be reclaimed," Oli said.

Nepal's Cabinet endorsed a new political map showing Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura under its territory, amid a border dispute with India.