India Rejects Third-Party Role In Nepal Border Row
India has rejected any third-party role in resolving its border dispute with Nepal, making it clear that all boundary-related matters between the two neighbours must be handled bilaterally.
India-Nepal Border Dispute To Be Resolved Bilaterally
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India and Nepal already have established bilateral mechanisms to deal with boundary matters. He said there is no role for any outside country or third party in issues that directly concern India and Nepal.
The statement came after Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah reportedly said Nepal was in touch with China and the United Kingdom over the border dispute.
MEA Responds To Balendra Shah Remarks
Shah had reportedly referred to the historical roots of the dispute and said the United Kingdom should also be involved because the issue dates back to the British India period. He also said Nepal was holding discussions not only with India, but also with China and Britain.
India responded by saying that such matters must be settled only through direct dialogue between New Delhi and Kathmandu. The MEA also said it had taken note of the Nepal Prime Minister’s remarks and a subsequent statement by Nepal’s foreign ministry.
Lipulekh Kalapani Limpiyadhura Dispute
India and Nepal have a long-running boundary dispute over areas including Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura. India maintains that these areas are part of Uttarakhand, while Nepal has raised claims based on its interpretation of historical treaties.
The MEA said nearly 98 percent of the India-Nepal boundary has already been demarcated, though some sections remain unresolved. It also said issues linked to the shifting course of the Gandak river, cross-border occupation and encroachment in no-man’s land are being jointly mapped.
