India, Nepal share strong cultural ties, says ex-envoy Upadhyay

Nepal's former envoy to India, Deep Kumar Upadhyay, has expressed his disappointment over the comparisons being made between Kathmandu's relationship with Beijing and New Delhi.

Speaking to ANI, he said Kathmandu's relation with China is a geographical necessity and comparing it with the country's relationship with New Delhi is not right.

"India should be proud that our engagement and relations with India cannot be compared with any other countries. We have a relation of culture and tradition with India which is beyond comparison. Sometimes I am hurt when comparisons are being made. More people speak in Nepali in India than in Nepal," he said.

"In every part of India and state, there is Nepali. See we share such relations with India that it should only be made more permanent and stronger. Regarding relations see sometimes it is the will of heart based on situation," he added.

Talking about Nepal's ties with China, he said Kathmandu can hire technology and take help in infrastructure, but added trade, transit and constant supply is not possible now.

"Why do you want to distance Nepal by comparing relations with China?" he told ANI in an exclusive interview.

Upadhyay further said Nepal is 100 percent dependent on India for fuel.

"In trade, see previously 30 percent now we are 70 percent dependent. And if now, you try to create problem, instead of easing the problem than it's obvious that a man will cry out of pain," he added.

The political crisis in the Himalayan nation escalated on Friday as Kathmandu recalled Upadhyay hours after cancelling President Bidhya Devi Bhandari's visit to the Simhastha Kumbh at Ujjain.

As per reports, the decision was taken after a Cabinet meeting during which his role in the latest political crisis came under criticism.