Nepal opposition demands PM apology over India border remarks, threatens House disruption

Opposition parties in Nepal have demanded Prime Minister Balendra Shah apologize in Parliament for his recent remarks about territorial encroachment. The parties, including the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, Nepali Communist Party (NCP), and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), met Monday and vowed to continue obstructing House proceedings until their demands are met.

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You may find this surprising, but I, too, only learned after becoming prime minister that it is not only India that has encroached on Nepal’s land; Nepal has also encroached on Indian land in many places.

Prime Minister Shah stated in the House of Representatives on Sunday that he learned after becoming prime minister that "it is not only India that has encroached on Nepal’s land; Nepal has also encroached on Indian land in many places." This statement has sparked criticism from opposition lawmakers, former diplomats, and border experts, many of whom argue that cross-border cultivation should not be equated with territorial encroachment.

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The prime minister must come to Parliament and clarify the remarks he made. He should also apologise before the House. Our obstruction of Parliament will continue until he responds.

Congress leader Nishcal Rai emphasized the seriousness with which the opposition views the prime minister's statement, demanding a clarification and apology. UML vice-chair Padma Aryal stated the remark embarrassed the country and weakened Nepal's position on a sensitive national issue. RPP chief whip Khusbu Oli also deemed the statement erroneous and called for an explanation.

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The statement had embarrassed the country and weakened Nepal’s position on a sensitive national issue.