‘Indian virus more lethal than Chinese’

In a latest shocker amid row over a "new map" claiming parts of Indian territory, Nepal Prime Minister KP Oli has said that "Indian virus looks more lethal than Chinese and Italian now".

In a speech in parliament, Oli has blamed India for the spread of coronavirus cases in his country.

"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," the Nepal PM was quoted as saying by NDTV.

"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," he further said outraging officials in India.

The offensive comes as India and Nepal are engulfed in a diplomatic war over a disputed border area. The tensions erupted when India inaugurated a road link connecting Kailash Mansarovar, a holy pilgrimage site situated at Tibet, China, that passes through the territory which Nepal claims its own.

Nepal's Cabinet had on Tuesday endorsed a new political map showing Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura under its territory.