A Nepali politician has demanded the expulsion of Chinese Ambassador Cheng Song for his alleged “undiplomatic remarks” on the relationship between Kathmandu and New Delhi.

Abdul Khan, the former minister in the incumbent Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government and vice president of the Janamat Party, demanded that the Foreign Ministry seek clarification from the top Chinese official in the country and declare Ambassador Song persona non grata.

Abdul Khan, Nepal’s member of Parliament,was quoted as saying by ANI, “Nepal is a sovereign and independent nation. The same is inscribed in our Constitution. A foreign diplomat or envoy from another country is not supposed to determine our foreign policy. How we conduct our relations with any other country is to be decided by no one else. But an ambassador, on a public forum, spoke about the age-old relationship between Nepal and India, spewing venom. This is highly condemnable. If Nepal is truly a free country, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should immediately summon the (Chinese) ambassador and declare him persona non grata.”

Khan said the envoy should refrain from making comments on Nepal-India ties.

The Chinese ambassador, during an event earlier this week, advised Nepal to deal cautiously with India when it comes to trade and other aspects. Song, in his address, sought to enhance Chinese influence on Nepal while portraying India in a negative light, reported ANI.

The Chinese envoy was quoted as saying by the news agency, “Unfortunately, you have a neighbour like India. It has a huge market, huge potential that you can tap into but at the same time, their policy towards Nepal and other neighbours are not so friendly and not beneficial to Nepal. We call it policy constraints.”