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🇳🇵 Nepal /Elections & Politics

PM Shah's parliament debut sparks border row with India

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Nepali Prime Minister Balendra Shah addressed parliament for the first time since taking office, making controversial statements about border disputes with India.
  • Shah suggested involving Britain in boundary talks and stated Nepal had encroached on Indian land, claims that experts say strengthen India's position and misinterpret historical treaties.
  • The prime minister's remarks, potentially stemming from confusion over land cultivation in border areas, have been criticized for their insensitivity to Nepal's relationship with India and potential to harm bilateral negotiations.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah's recent parliamentary address, his first since assuming office, has ignited controversy due to his remarks on Nepal's border disputes with India. While Shah stated that efforts are underway to resolve territorial issues concerning Kalapani, Limpiadhura, and Lipulekh, his subsequent comments have drawn sharp criticism.

efforts were on with India to resolve the old dispute over the territories of Kalapani, Limpiadhura and Lipulekh.

— Prime Minister Balendra ShahDuring his first address to the federal parliament.

Shah asserted that not only has India encroached on Nepali territories, but Nepal has also encroached on Indian land in numerous places. He further suggested involving Britain in boundary discussions, citing the 1816 Sugauli Treaty as the origin of many current disputes. However, border experts and former state officials argue that there is no official record of India ever raising the issue of Nepali encroachment. These statements are seen as potentially strengthening India's leverage in future talks and misplacing the desire for third-party involvement, as India has consistently rejected such mediation.

not only had India encroached on Nepali territories, Nepal had also encroached on India’s land in many places.

— Prime Minister Balendra ShahDuring his first address to the federal parliament.

The prime minister's office later clarified that his statement might have been related to "encroachment in the Dasgaja area [no-man’s land] and ‘cross-border occupation’," explaining that fixed boundary principles in riverine areas can lead to citizens cultivating or residing on land belonging to the other country. Despite this potential explanation, critics argue that such nuances are crucial in sensitive diplomatic matters. The use of the term 'encroachment' instead of 'cross-border holdings' has been highlighted as a significant misstep, potentially damaging Nepal's sovereignty and national interests.

as many of the current boundary disputes with India originate with the Sugauli Treaty signed with British India in 1816, his government was trying to bring in the British in India-Nepal boundary discussions.

— Prime Minister Balendra ShahDuring his first address to the federal parliament.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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