Author: space4knews

Dr. Rajan Bhattarai, Secretary of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), has expressed surprise over the Prime Minister’s assertion that Nepal has also encroached upon Indian territory. Bhattarai noted that India has never officially claimed that Nepal has infringed on its land. He warned that involving the United Kingdom as a third party in the Nepal-India border dispute would complicate the issue further.
May 29, Kathmandu – Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s recent remarks that Nepal, alongside India, has encroached upon Indian land have stirred significant political upheaval. Opposition parties have demanded disclosure of facts in the House of Representatives, while border experts have refuted the Prime Minister’s statements.
In a brief conversation regarding the issue, Dr. Rajan Bhattarai, a member of the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) established to study the Nepal-India border dispute and Secretary of the CPN-UML, shared his perspective:
You mentioned that the Prime Minister stated Nepal has also encroached upon Indian territory. What is your viewpoint on this?
I am almost certain that India has never formally accused Nepal of encroaching on its territory. Through the EPG, we engaged in discussions with the Indian side for two years, examining various aspects of the Nepal-India border issues. During these negotiations, even when territorial encroachments were raised, the Indian side never alleged that Nepal had encroached upon Indian land. Therefore, it is very surprising and puzzling to hear the Prime Minister suddenly acknowledge from the parliamentary rostrum that Nepal has encroached on others’ land, apparently based on some documents or assumptions.
Second, this is a sensitive and serious issue. We are aware that efforts to reclaim encroached lands have included repeated dialogues and bilateral negotiation teams, yet resolution remains elusive and the problem is becoming increasingly complex. At such a delicate time, it was inappropriate for the Prime Minister to make a casual remark about such a sensitive issue.
Third, the Prime Minister mentioned that discussions are ongoing with England, specifically the United Kingdom, regarding this matter. Historically, when India and Bangladesh resolved their border and Ganges river disputes in 2014, the UK was not involved as a third party. Similarly, the border dispute between India and China, related to the McMahon Line stemming from British-era agreements, does not involve Britain as a third party. India and China are negotiating directly, albeit without reaching a final agreement. Hence, involving a third party in Nepal’s case would not be a solution but would likely complicate matters further.
Has India ever claimed that Nepal encroached its territory, while our Prime Minister says otherwise?
India has never officially or diplomatically asserted that Nepal encroached upon its land. This issue did not arise even in our EPG dialogues. Moreover, we were never called upon by India for discussions on this matter.
What are the implications of the Prime Minister’s remarks?
This adds a new layer of complexity. While we are engaged in dialogue with India to reclaim encroached lands, the Prime Minister’s claim that India has also encroached on Nepalese territory—something India has never formally alleged—could provide India with a political advantage and hinder resolution. It risks escalating the dispute rather than resolving it. The Prime Minister, as the chief guardian of national interest over territorial matters, must realize that such statements could jeopardize Nepal’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and regional security.
How can this situation be remedied?
The Prime Minister must clarify which specific land he referred to and which documents form the basis of his remarks. Transparency is essential given the sensitivity of the issue.
Do you believe the Prime Minister’s statement was mistaken?
I am fully convinced that such statements do not protect Nepal’s national interests.

The news summary has been reviewed by journalists. Secretary Prakash Adhikari reported in the meeting about the message received from the National Assembly concerning the House of Representatives Member Election (First Amendment) Bill, 2083, despite disruptions. Despite interruptions from opposition parties, Secretary Prakash Adhikari of the House of Representatives presented the information regarding the message received from the National Assembly about the House of Representatives Member Election (First Amendment) Bill, 2083. The next meeting of the House of Representatives has been postponed to convene 15 minutes later today. 17 Jestha, Kathmandu.

Ravi Lamichhane, chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), is set to travel to India starting from 18 Jestha, accompanied by a team. According to party spokesperson Manish Jha, the delegation includes members of parliament Bipin Acharya and Dipak Bohara, as well as Nikita Paudel and Pradeep Acharya. The visit is taking place at the invitation of Nitin Naveen of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as stated in a press release issued by the spokesperson.

On 17 Jestha in Kathmandu, the RSP formally announced details about the India visit by chairman Ravi Lamichhane. In the press release, Manish Jha informed about the trip scheduled to begin tomorrow. Alongside Lamichhane, RSP parliamentarians Bipin Acharya and Dipak Bohara will be part of the delegation. Additionally, Lamichhane’s wife, Nikita Paudel, and Pradeep Acharya will also participate in the visit, according to the statement.

Lamichhane is set to depart for India tomorrow. The BJP also confirmed through a press release that the delegation is traveling upon the invitation of BJP President Nitin Naveen.

Summary: In Shitali, Ward No. 2 of Mai Municipality, Ilam, the fully blossomed Jarul flowers in the tea gardens have become a major attraction for tourists. These Jarul flowers, which bloom up to an altitude of 2,500 meters above sea level, draw hundreds of domestic and international visitors daily. The tea gardens can be reached after traveling approximately 30 kilometers from Surung in Jhapa via Jamunkhadi. (17 Jeth, Ilam – Shitali) Surrounded by lush green forests, the tea plants spread across the hills are adorned with clusters of purple Jarul flowers. This picturesque view is found in the central tea gardens of Shitali in southern Ilam’s Mai Municipality Ward No. 2. Known locally as Asare flowers, the beauty of these Jarul blooms attracts hundreds of tourists already in the Jeth month.

Visitors arriving in Ilam these days cannot help but notice the fully blossomed Jarul flowers. Locals report that hundreds of both domestic and foreign tourists arrive here each day. Jarul flowers bloom at altitudes around 2,500 meters above sea level and have nearly 48 species worldwide. After traveling about 30 kilometers from the Surung Bridge in Jhapa toward Jamunkhadi, one can reach these tea gardens in Ilam. Ilam is renowned for its tea, and tourists coming to visit the plantations are also enjoying the stunning spectacle of the Jarul flowers. Many visitors take photos and reels against the backdrop of these vibrant flowers, capturing the beauty of this natural phenomenon.

The House of Representatives has approved the Voter List (First Amendment) Bill, 2083, which was received from the National Assembly, by a majority vote. Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Sobita Gautam presented the amendment proposals received from the National Assembly to the House of Representatives. Despite opposition from minority parties, Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal announced the amendment was passed by majority. Kathmandu, 17 Jestha.

During the third meeting of the House of Representatives held Sunday evening, the amendment to the Voter List (First Amendment) Bill, 2083, originating from the National Assembly was passed by majority. Speaker Aryal had put the amendment proposals to a vote. Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Sobita Gautam submitted the proposals received from the National Assembly. Despite protests from opposition parties, Speaker Aryal declared that the amendment had been adopted with majority support.

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Gujarat Titans by 5 wickets to retain the IPL 2026 title. In the final held in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru’s Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 75 runs while Rasikh Salam took 3 wickets. With this victory, Bengaluru became the third team in IPL history to win consecutive titles.

On June 30, in Kathmandu, Royal Challengers Bengaluru successfully defended their title by overcoming Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 final. The match took place at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where Bengaluru secured a convincing 5-wicket victory. Chasing a moderate target of 156 runs set by Gujarat, Bengaluru reached it in 18 overs losing 5 wickets.

Virat Kohli was the top scorer for Bengaluru with an unbeaten 75 runs off 42 balls, including 9 fours and 3 sixes. Venkatesh Iyer contributed 32 runs. For Gujarat, Rashid Khan took 2 wickets, while Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada, and Arshad Khan claimed one wicket each.

After losing the toss, Gujarat batted first and scored 155 runs for 8 wickets in their 20 overs. Washington Sundar top-scored with an unbeaten 50, with contributions of 20 runs from Nishant Sindhu and 19 runs from Jos Buttler. Rasikh Salam was the most successful bowler for Bengaluru, taking 3 wickets for 27 runs in 4 overs. Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar took 2 wickets each, while Krunal Pandya claimed 1 wicket. Earlier in the season, Bengaluru had also defeated Gujarat in the first qualifier.

Summary: Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle clarified that the capital gains tax on shares is final and that a 5 percent tax has been imposed for development of the electricity infrastructure. He stated that the main focus of the upcoming fiscal year’s budget is to expand the middle class and uplift low-income groups to the middle-class level. The government has projected to borrow a total of NPR 6.57 trillion and generate revenue of NPR 15.8 trillion in the next fiscal year.

Kathmandu, 17 Jestha — Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle referred to budget critics as ‘those who do not show extra affection.’ During the press conference held after the budget announcement, he responded by categorizing people as those who love, show extra love, and those who do not show extra love.

Although Dr. Wagle declared in his budget speech that the capital gains tax on securities transactions is final, provisions made in the Income Tax Act through the Economic Bill 2079, including some thresholds, have led to confusion among share investors. The minister was unable to fully clarify this confusion during the press conference. “Capital gains tax is final; investors were lined up, ready to pay an additional 5 percent,” he said.

In response to investors’ demands, the capital gains tax rate has been generously finalized by increasing from 5 percent to 7.5 percent, and from 7.5 percent to 10 percent, he added. Dr. Wagle admitted he does not understand why the confusion about the tax persists, perhaps due to those who ‘do not show extra affection.’

Despite some ‘confusion’ concerning incomes below NPR 4 million, the minister insists that income derived from shares is final. He explained that taxpayers with income from other sources list capital gains at the time of filing income tax returns, so the tax deduction appears automatic and final.

He acknowledged the possibility of errors or mistakes and assured corrections will be made where necessary but criticized that, “This confusion has been spread deliberately, misinterpreted, and false questions have been raised, which is unacceptable.”