Nepal? India?

Why do so many people confuse Nepal as being a part of India? Nepal has never been a part of any other country as far as I know. They weren't even controlled by Grt. Britain while INdia was. The cultures are somewhat similar, so what? Here're the facts: Buddha was born in NEpal, Mt. EVerest is in Nepal not in India. ANd I"m apalled to see some Indians saying NEpal should just be a part of India. That's never gonna happen. I have many Nepalese friends and they love the fact that thier country was never occupied by any other nations.