Why in the News?

• Recent remarks by Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah on the India-Nepal boundary dispute have triggered political debate and renewed attention on the unresolved border issues between the two countries.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• India-Nepal Boundary Issue (Background, Major Disputed Areas, Recent Developments, etc.)
• News Summary (PM Balendra Shah’s Comments, Impact on Relations with India)

India-Nepal Boundary Issue: Background

• India and Nepal share an open international border of nearly 1,850 km stretching across Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim.
• While most of the boundary has been demarcated, a few segments remain disputed.
• Origins of the Dispute
  • The roots of the dispute lie in the Treaty of Sugauli (1816) signed between the East India Company and Nepal after the Anglo-Nepalese War.
  • The treaty identified the Kali (Mahakali) River as the western boundary of Nepal.
  • However, disagreements emerged regarding the exact source of the river, leading to competing territorial claims.
• Major Disputed Areas
  • Kalapani
    • Kalapani is a strategically important area located near the India-Nepal-China tri-junction. India administers the region as part of Uttarakhand, while Nepal claims it as part of its Darchula district.
  • Lipulekh Pass
    • Lipulekh is a mountain pass connecting India with Tibet and serves as an important route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and border trade with China. Nepal claims the pass as part of its sovereign territory.
  • Limpiyadhura
    • Nepal argues that the Kali River originates from Limpiyadhura, which would place Kalapani and Lipulekh within Nepalese territory. India disputes this interpretation.

Recent Developments

• In 2020, Nepal issued a new political map incorporating Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura within its territory.
• India rejected the move, describing it as a unilateral action inconsistent with historical facts and existing understandings.
• Mechanisms for Resolution
  • India and Nepal have generally favoured a peaceful and diplomatic approach to resolving the dispute through:

• Bilateral dialogue
• Joint boundary mechanisms
• Survey and mapping exercises
• Historical and cartographic examination by experts

• Despite occasional tensions, both countries have consistently reiterated their commitment to resolving the issue through negotiations.

News Summary

• Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah recently stated in the Nepalese Parliament that he was surprised to learn that the border issue may not be entirely one-sided.
• According to him, while Nepal has long maintained that India has encroached upon Nepalese territory, there could also be locations where Nepal occupies land claimed by India.
• He stated that both countries should objectively examine the facts and resolve the matter amicably as friendly neighbours.

Diplomatic Engagement with India

• The Prime Minister revealed that Nepal had formally sent a diplomatic note to India regarding territories that Kathmandu considers disputed, including Lipulekh.
• According to Shah, India responded positively, and both sides agreed to pursue dialogue-based solutions.
• He stated that future discussions could involve teams comprising Historians, Surveyors and Boundary experts.
• The objective would be to establish factual clarity and arrive at a mutually acceptable settlement.

Reference to China and the United Kingdom

• A notable aspect of Shah’s remarks was his statement that Nepal had discussed the boundary issue not only with India but also with China and the United Kingdom.
• He argued that the United Kingdom has a historical connection to the issue because the present boundary arrangements originated during the British colonial period.
• This observation attracted attention because India has traditionally maintained that all bilateral boundary issues should be resolved directly between India and Nepal without third-party involvement.

Reactions Within Nepal

• The Prime Minister’s assertion that Nepal may also be occupying territory claimed by India generated significant debate within Nepal.
• Several former diplomats and boundary experts questioned the claim.
• As per them, there is no official evidence suggesting Nepal has encroached upon Indian territory.
• He noted that nearly 97% of the India-Nepal boundary issues have already been resolved, with only a limited number of disputed segments remaining.
• Experts also clarified that instances of farmers cultivating land across the border because of damaged or missing boundary pillars should not be interpreted as state-sponsored territorial encroachment.

Implications for Bilateral Relations

• The remarks come at a sensitive time in India-Nepal relations.
• Earlier, Nepal had objected to the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra route through Lipulekh Pass, arguing that the area falls within its territory.
• India rejected the objection, describing Nepal's position as a unilateral expansion of territorial claims.
• The latest controversy could influence ongoing diplomatic engagements between the two countries, although both governments continue to publicly support dialogue and peaceful resolution of outstanding boundary disputes.