Nepal-India Border Dispute: Renewed Concerns Following Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s Remarks, Experts Weigh In
Image source, AFP via Getty Images
Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s recent statements in the House of Representatives about the Nepal-India border dispute have sparked heated discussion. A former Director General of the Survey Department warned that the Prime Minister’s comments on a dispute previously considered resolved might create complications.
Speaking in parliament on Sunday, the Prime Minister said, “India has encroached upon not only Nepal but also on Indian land situated within Nepal’s territory in many places.” Following a surge in controversy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement clarifying that this statement principally pertains to ‘encroachments in the Dashgaja area’ and ‘cross-border occupation,’ meaning crossing the boundary to use land.
The Indian government has not officially responded to this issue; however, some Indian commentators on social media have reacted by emphasizing that Nepal has acknowledged the dispute is not one-sided. Indian media have also prioritized coverage of this problem.
Officials from the Survey Department have declined to comment on the Prime Minister’s remarks.
Retired Director General of the Survey Department, Punyaprasad Oli, stated, “Local residents may keep livestock or cultivate fields within areas that have already been demarcated; this is a straightforward issue. Simply asking them to remain within their territory is sufficient.”
He added that Nepal has not encroached on Indian land in any areas but that there are encroachments by India apart from Kalapani and Susta.
“Government agencies are still disputing areas like Pashupatinagar in Ilam and Sunauli in Rupandehi. There is also a long-standing dispute over about ten acres of land in Brahmadev Mandi, Kanchanpur, dating back to Chandrasamsher’s era,” Oli said.
The coordinator of the joint expert group formed for collecting evidence on Nepal-India border relations described the Prime Minister’s statements as conceptually vague.
“Disputes between state encroachment and residents living in open areas involve different issues,” said Vishnuraj Upreti, coordinator of the expert group established in 2020 (2077 BS).
“So far, India has never officially claimed that Nepal has encroached on their territory.”
The Dispute
Image source, Phanindra Dahal/BBC
On Sunday in the House of Representatives, opposition MPs criticized the Prime Minister’s remarks, questioning the assertion that “Nepal has also encroached onto Indian land.”
Political parties continued their protests on Monday by issuing statements expressing opposition.
In response to an oral question from an anonymous source, the Prime Minister said, “It was only after becoming Prime Minister that I realized not only India, but Nepal has also encroached on Indian land in many places. Currently, both countries are considering studying the issues and finding solutions.”
Opposition MPs demanded further details and voiced strong criticism on the matter.
Following the Prime Minister’s remarks, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a clarification stating that “crossing the boundary in the Dashgaja area and cross-border occupation” are the conditions described.
Indian professor S.D. Muni congratulated Prime Minister Balendra Shah for his comment and warned that attempts to internationalize this issue could be fruitful.
The Prime Minister also shared that the government has held discussions regarding the border with authorities from India, China, and England.
“Our view is that England should also be involved in resolving issues dating back to British India’s departure. All matters will be settled through dialogue and diplomatic methods,” he said.
These remarks from the Prime Minister come amidst renewed tensions over the Nepal-India border dispute, following India’s announcement that Indian pilgrims traveling to Kailash Mansarovar will use the Lipulekh Pass this year.
Why Did the Prime Minister Make These Statements?
RSS
“You might be surprised – I only realized after becoming Prime Minister that Nepal, not only India, has encroached on Indian land in many places…”
Experts interpret disputes between residents on both sides of an open border and their resolution differently.
Vishnuraj Upreti explains, “When citizens from both sides farm or settle on land, disputes arise, but this does not mean the state has encroached.”
He mentioned that the main dispute intensified after the change in the river course at Susta.
Although the Narayani River was designated as the border in the 1816 Sugauli Treaty, subsequent changes in the river course increased India’s claims. The areas of Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani were formerly part of Nepal but were later occupied.
Experts note that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ clarification does not fully endorse the Prime Minister’s remarks and that the interpretation of words can itself cause disagreement.
When boundary pillars installed during Jang Bahadur Rana’s premiership wear down, disputes arise in some areas, but security agencies have been resolving these issues, according to experts.
“These disputes are among local inhabitants, not state encroachments,” Upreti emphasized.
Areas of Concern
Former Survey Department Director General Punyaprasad Oli urged understanding Dashgaja as vacant land and noted that security forces sometimes remove whatever encroachments they observe during Tihar.
“Encroachments in Dashgaja, if any, are removed annually,” he said.
He explained that residents on both sides of the border often request not to remove boundary markers in Dashgaja and to allow livestock grazing.
“Nepal has not encroached anywhere. Only India has clearly encroached in Susta and Kalapani. In Susta, land parcels are formally divided, but India has been utilizing the land,” the former director said.
“India claimed in 1816 that the Kawa River did not reach the western border in Kalapani, and in 1817 the British government made three villages there and left them.”
He added that neither India nor Nepal has ever claimed Nepal has encroached and that issues in Susta and Kalapani remain to be resolved.
“The Prime Minister spoke in simple language; this is not diplomatic or political language. Such remarks risk reigniting disputes that were previously settled.”
“Strip maps have been made, and security boundaries designated. Any encroachment is unacceptable because Dashgaja (except for Susta, Kalapani) has vacant land properly demarcated on maps.”
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