Kathmandu: A high-level delegation led by CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel is currently on a goodwill visit to China. However, the visit has raised questions as communist parties in Nepal remain silent on China's recent map release, in contrast to their vocal stance when India published a similar map.

The delegation's visit marks the CPN-UML's first to China following the party's split and the COVID-19 pandemic. Interestingly, prior to the delegation's arrival in China, the Chinese government released a political and geographical map that omitted Nepal's new map, which has significant nationalistic importance for Nepal.

China's new map, labeled the 2023 edition, was released by China's Ministry of Natural Resources and includes India's Arunachal Pradesh. The map notably excludes Nepal's revised map, even though China had included it in the past. This has generated confusion among the Nepali populace, who are now asking questions, while communist parties and leaders have yet to issue statements addressing the issue.

Prime Minister Prachanda, who leads the current coalition government, has remained silent on the matter. In contrast, Foreign Minister NP Saud of the Nepali Congress has announced plans to send a diplomatic note to address the issue.

Despite the map controversy, CPN-UML General Secretary Pokharel visited China on a 12-day invitation from the Chinese Communist Party. The delegation includes prominent members such as Dr. Rajan Bhattarai, head of the Foreign Affairs Department, and Rajendra Gautam, head of the Publicity Department, among others.

During the visit, the delegation is scheduled to visit Chongqing, Beijing, and Qinghai and engage in meetings with high-level leaders of the Chinese Communist Party. While there is no official agenda to address the map issue, the UML source has stated, "They don't talk about such matters; it's purely a visit."

The CPN-UML's official stance on China's new map remains undisclosed, a silence that contrasts with previous protests by Nepal's communist factions, including the CPN-UML, when India included Nepalese territory on its map. The issue had prompted discussions at various parliamentary committees, calls for the return of Nepalese land, and the immediate publication of Nepal's revised map.

The visit of the CPN-UML delegation to China underscores Nepal's diplomatic complexity in managing relations with neighboring countries amidst evolving regional dynamics.