India’s Ministry of External Affairs has responded to journalists’ questions on the Nepal-India border issue by stating that there is no role for any third party in this matter. Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah ‘Balen’ had expressed in the House of Representatives last Sunday that Nepal has also encroached upon Indian territory. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs responded with a systematic statement regarding this. The Prime Minister had said in Parliament, “… it is not only India, but Nepal has also encroached on some parts of Indian land…” Amid the strong opposition to the Prime Minister’s remarks in Nepal, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has indicated there is no need to reject these comments, journalist Yubaraj Ghimire, who has been commenting on these matters for a long time, explained. “Since both countries have agreed in principle and are moving forward, there should be no display of disagreement,” former editor-in-chief Ghimire said.
The National Independent Party (RASWAPA) chairman, Ravi Lamichhane, who was on a visit to Delhi accepting an invitation from India’s Bharatiya Janata Party, received clear statements from India’s Ministry of External Affairs regarding the border dispute. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal informed that border disputes between Nepal and India are to be resolved through bilateral mechanisms and therefore, no third party has any role in the matter. Prime Minister Shah, for the first time in Parliament, mentioned the possible role of the UK in resolving the Nepal-India border dispute. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ subsequent statement on the ongoing dispute clarified that the remarks were related to ‘Dasgaja area encroachment’ and ‘possession beyond the border.’
Indian MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal has studied Prime Minister Shah’s border remarks. “Approximately 98 percent of the India-Nepal border has already been demarcated. However, some areas remain unresolved,” Jaiswal stated. “Changes in the flow of the Gandaki River have caused such circumstances. Additionally, there are issues related to possession and encroachment in some demarcated border sections, such as the Dasgaja area, which are being jointly mapped.” He emphasized that all border disputes are being addressed through bilateral mechanisms and reiterated that there is no role for any third party in these matters.
Journalist Ghimire states, “Issues on which both countries have already reached agreements do not warrant the involvement of a third party. But if the Prime Minister clarifies these points in Parliament, it would be helpful.” Government spokesperson Sashmit Pokharel indicated that the Prime Minister expressed surprise regarding his own remarks on the border dispute. “The Prime Minister himself said he was surprised if Nepal had encroached upon Indian territory,” Pokharel said. However, journalist Ghimire underlines that due to the sensitivity of the subject, the Prime Minister needs to send a clear message in Parliament. “It is necessary for the Prime Minister to clarify his statement because this matter concerns not only Nepal but also the border with India, and the commitment to settle such disputes must be reaffirmed periodically,” he added.
Meanwhile, during RASWAPA chairman Ravi Lamichhane’s visit to Delhi, efforts are expected to be made to steer the relationship between the two countries in a positive direction, Ghimire explained. “This is an appropriate forum to discuss various aspects of bilateral relations. Government levels in both countries have been resolving periodic disputes,” he noted. Lamichhane visited Delhi on Monday at the invitation of the Bharatiya Janata Party and met BJP President Nitin Naik and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday. Both BJP President Nitin Naik and Foreign Minister Jaishankar shared information about the meetings via social media. Foreign Minister Jaishankar said that the talks focused on development partnerships and people-to-people ties, which play a significant role in making both countries prosperous. BJP President Nitin Naik expressed great pleasure in welcoming Lamichhane and his delegation to the party headquarters. “Meaningful discussions were held on strengthening the relationship and cooperation between BJP and RASWAPA,” he wrote on social media.
