Prime Minister Balen Shah of Nepal, during a parliamentary address on Sunday, stated that both Nepal and India have encroached upon each other’s territories. This remark has reignited the longstanding border dispute between the two nations. Shah, the youngest Prime Minister in Nepal’s history, made this speech in an effort to acknowledge the sensitive nature of the border issues involving Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani.

While he highlighted the ongoing difficulties in bilateral relations, he suggested a more conciliatory approach. “Both countries should seek the assistance of historians, surveyors and experts to come to a resolution,” he stated. He emphasised the need for dialogue and cooperation in addressing the territorial matters that have historically strained ties.

In an unexpected claim, Shah revealed that he had only recently learned about the complexities of border encroachments from both sides. He asserted that India and Nepal must collaborate to examine the facts and engage in discussions as friendly neighbours.

Clarification by Nepal’s Foreign Ministry

Shortly after Prime Minister Shah’s comments, the Nepalese Foreign Ministry issued a clarification regarding his statement about encroachments. The Ministry indicated that Shah’s remarks were aimed at highlighting areas classified as no-man’s land and instances of occupation on both sides of the border.

The Ministry’s statement explained that there could be instances where land utilised by individuals on the Indian side might actually belong to Nepal, and vice versa. It further stressed that discussions around encroachments should focus on cross-border occupations rather than outright claims of territorial seizure.

As part of its efforts to address these border issues, the Ministry confirmed that technical teams from both countries are actively involved in constructing and repairing boundary pillars, along with collecting data about disputed areas and occupations that have persisted over time.

Political Reactions and Diplomatic Context

The Prime Minister’s statements have sparked considerable political backlash within Nepal. Opposition legislators, including Basana Thapa of the Nepali Congress and Ramesh Malla from the Nepali Communist Party, have raised objections. They have called for the removal of Shah’s remarks from the parliamentary record, demanding evidence to support the claims or an immediate retraction.

Prominent figures, including former Nepal Foreign Minister Pradip Gyawali, have sought an apology from Shah for the comments on territorial claims. Additionally, Buddhi Narayan Shrestha, a noted border expert, refuted the notion that Nepal has encroached on Indian land, explaining that the movement of farmers from both sides occasionally leads to shared usage of land due to missing boundary markers.

Former diplomats, such as Nilambara Acharya, have also condemned Shah’s remarks, stating that around ninety-seven per cent of border issues have already been addressed and asserting that there is no substantiated proof of Nepal encroaching on Indian territory. Deep Kumar Upadhyay echoed similar sentiments, expressing that the matter has not been officially raised by India in the past.

The current debate is set against a backdrop of prior tensions, including Nepal’s recent formal objection to the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lipulekh. The Government of Nepal insists that, according to the 1816 Sugauli Treaty, the territories of Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani are integral parts of Nepal. India has dismissed these claims as a “unilateral artificial enlargement,” insisting on bilateral dialogue to ensure lasting resolution on the matter.

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