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Malkani withdraws Nepal remarks

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kewal R Malkani on Sunday night withdrew his controversial remarks that upset the Nepal government.

Earlier, BJP president Bangaru Laxman on Sunday clarified that Malkani's remarks on Nepal did not reflect the party's views and described them as ''unfortunate.''

Malkani told india-today.com that 'Jawaharlal Nehru should have accepted the accession of Nepal to India in the 1950s when it was offered to us by King Tribhuvan.'

His statement comes at a time when relations between India and Nepal are tense after allegedly anti-Nepali remarks Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan did not make provoked violence in Kathmandu and elsewhere.

"We fully respect Nepal's sovereignty and cultural identity. The people of India and Nepal should remain vigilant and ensure that nothing is allowed to come in the way of the close and cordial relations between the two countries," Laxman said in a statement issued on Sunday.

"What I have stated is my personal opinion, but I withdraw my remarks if they have hurt my good friends in Nepal," Malkani told PTI, adding that he was "extremely sorry." Reacting to Malkani's remarks, an external affairs ministry spokesman said "they do not reflect the views of the Government of India."

In Kathmandu, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Ram Chandra Paudel said Nepal had lodged a strong protest against Malkani's views through its Ambassador Bhek Bahadur Thapa. "We have sent a note to India through our ambassador. We also asked Indian Ambasssador Dev Mukherji to clarify," Paudel said.

PTI, UNI

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