Nepal Bar Association slams PM's border remarks, citing national unity concerns

Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah has drawn criticism from the Nepal Bar Association (NBA) for his recent remarks suggesting that Nepal has also encroached on Indian territory. The NBA stated that such comments made from the parliamentary rostrum significantly undermine the country's established diplomatic stance on border disputes and its claims in bilateral and international forums.

In a statement, NBA General Secretary Kedar Koirala expressed the association's "serious note" of the prime minister's comments, which touched upon sensitive issues of sovereignty, independence, national dignity, and territorial integrity. The association argued that remarks on such critical matters should be treated as common national concerns for all Nepalis.

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Matters concerning Nepal’s territory, borders and national sovereignty are common national concerns of all Nepalis.

The NBA stressed that border disputes require resolution based on concrete evidence, including historical facts, official maps, treaties, hydrological data, and technical assessments. They cautioned against addressing these sensitive issues with emotional reactions or unverified conclusions, advocating instead for documented evidence, diplomatic engagement, and adherence to internationally accepted norms.

The association further differentiated between minor territorial adjustments caused by natural phenomena, such as farming activities or river course changes, and strategic territorial encroachment carried out at the state level. They described the prime minister's remarks as "irresponsible" and indicative of a lack of understanding of diplomatic principles, asserting that they have "seriously weakened" Nepal's national unity and its position in resolving border issues.

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Technical cross-holdings caused by farming activities or changes in a river’s course cannot be equated with strategic territorial encroachment carried out at the state level.