Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Sunday stated that the country's border disputes with India would be resolved through dialogue and diplomatic efforts, while also proposing the inclusion of the United Kingdom in the negotiations, citing Britain's role in shaping the region's modern borders during the colonial era.
Shah's Address to Parliament
Addressing Nepal's House of Representatives for the first time since assuming office after the March elections, Shah emphasized the necessity of negotiations to resolve long-standing territorial disputes. He asserted that the border issue with India would be settled "through table talks and diplomatic efforts."
Call for UK Involvement
Shah called for the UK's participation in the process, arguing that Britain should also be concerned about the issue because present-day boundaries trace back to the colonial period. "While they were leaving British India, the problem was passed onto generations, which is why we believe that England also needs to be concerned about it," he said. "All these issues would be resolved through table talk and diplomatic channels," he added, as reported by news agency ANI.
Diplomatic Roadmap
According to Shah, Nepal has already exchanged diplomatic notes with India and agreed on a roadmap involving historians, surveyors, and territorial experts from both sides to examine geographical and historical records related to the disputed areas. His remarks come amid continuing differences over territories including Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura. Nepal published a revised political map in 2020 claiming the Kalapani-Lipulekh-Limpiyadhura area, while India rejected the move, stating that the map included parts of Indian territory.
India's Stance
Earlier this month, India reiterated its willingness to engage with Nepal on all bilateral issues, including unresolved boundary matters, through dialogue and diplomacy. Responding to questions regarding Nepal's claims in the context of the annual Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "Lipulekh Pass has been a long-standing route for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra since 1954 and the Yatra through this route has been going on for decades. This is not a new development." On Nepal's territorial claims, he added, "As regards territorial claims, India has consistently maintained that such claims are neither justified nor based on historical facts and evidence. Such unilateral artificial enlargement of territorial claims is untenable."
Historical Context
India had similarly rejected Nepal's revised map in 2020 under the KP Sharma Oli-led government, saying the move was contrary to the bilateral understanding that outstanding boundary issues should be resolved through diplomatic dialogue.
