Agencies | New Delhi:
India on Tuesday firmly ruled out any role for third parties in addressing boundary-related issues with Nepal, following recent remarks by Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah regarding alleged land encroachment along the India-Nepal border.
Addressing a media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi had taken note of both Shah’s comments and the subsequent clarification issued by Nepal’s foreign ministry.
“We have seen the remarks of the Prime Minister of Nepal concerning the India-Nepal boundary, as well as the subsequent statement made by the Nepali foreign office on this matter,” Jaiswal said.
The spokesperson emphasized that nearly 98 percent of the India-Nepal boundary has already been demarcated, with only a few stretches remaining unresolved due to geographical and technical factors, including changes in the course of the Gandak River.
“In addition, there are cases of cross-border occupation and encroachment of no-man’s land in demarcated segments of the boundary, which are currently being mapped jointly,” he noted.
Jaiswal reiterated that India and Nepal have established bilateral mechanisms to address all outstanding boundary-related issues.
“We have established bilateral mechanisms to deal with all aspects of boundary matters. It should be clear to all concerned that there is no role for any third parties in a bilateral matter between India and Nepal,” he said.
Remarks Spark Debate in Nepal
The issue gained attention after Prime Minister Shah, during his first address to Parliament after assuming office, stated that “not only India, but Nepal has also encroached territories of India at many places,” triggering political debate in Kathmandu.
Shah suggested that India and Nepal could seek assistance from historians, surveyors and other experts to help resolve outstanding border disputes. He also indicated that Nepal had raised the issue with countries including China and the United Kingdom.
Referring to the historical context of the border issue, Shah noted that some aspects of the dispute dated back to the colonial era and the period following British withdrawal from the region.
Nepal Clarifies Position
Following the remarks, Nepal’s foreign ministry issued a clarification, stating that the prime minister’s comments were related to issues concerning “no-man’s land encroachments” and “cross-border occupation” rather than formal territorial claims.
The statement also triggered criticism within Nepal’s Parliament, with opposition lawmakers seeking clarification and evidence to support the prime minister’s assertions. Several leaders, including Basana Thapa and Ramesh Malla, reportedly questioned the remarks and called for them to be either substantiated or withdrawn.
India and Nepal share a long and largely open border, with both countries maintaining close historical, cultural and economic ties. Boundary-related issues are generally addressed through established diplomatic and technical channels.
