Nepal's Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal on Wednesday informed Parliament that Kathmandu neither supports nor seeks third-party mediation in resolving its border disputes with India. This clarification comes days after Prime Minister Balendra Shah's comments on May 31 sparked criticism from opposition parties and led to calls for his resignation.
PM's Controversial Remarks
The controversy stemmed from reports suggesting that the Prime Minister had referred to the possible use of historical records held by countries such as the United Kingdom or China while discussing border-related matters. This raised concerns about a potential shift in Nepal's long-standing position on bilateral negotiations.
Foreign Minister's Clarification
Addressing Parliament, Khanal stated, "What I would like to clarify in this esteemed House is that the Nepal-India border is a bilateral issue and Nepal is always committed to resolving this problem through diplomatic dialogue and negotiations based on historical treaties, agreements, and maps." He further noted that the Nepal-India Boundary Working Group (BWG) and other bilateral bodies have resumed work in areas where progress had been stalled for years.
India's Stance
Khanal's statement came shortly after his visit to India from June 5 to 7 and followed a firm response from New Delhi. Earlier this month, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated that boundary issues between India and Nepal are strictly bilateral matters. Jaiswal noted that nearly 98 percent of the India-Nepal border has already been demarcated, with only a few segments remaining unresolved. "There is no role for any third parties in a bilateral matter between India and Nepal," he said, adding that both countries have established mechanisms to address concerns.
Long-Standing Dispute
The long-running dispute between Nepal and India over border territories, including Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani, has periodically escalated over the years. The conflict is a mix of contested history, geography, politics, and mapping. Both nations continue to engage in diplomatic efforts to resolve the remaining issues through established bilateral channels.
