Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah stated before parliament that India is not the only nation holding Nepalese territory, claiming that Nepal also occupies certain Indian lands across various locations. Responding to queries from lawmakers on Sunday, Shah revealed that he discovered this mutual territorial encroachment only after assuming the prime ministerial office. Emphasizing the geopolitical complexity, he called for immediate bilateral discussions between Kathmandu and New Delhi to address the historical anomalies systematically.A joint expert panel will soon be formed to audit the borders.
The prime minister`s remarks came during a legislative session in response to a direct question raised by Aren Rai, a lawmaker representing the Labor Culture Party. Addressing the strategic trade routes between India and China through Lipulekh, Limpiadhura, and Kalapani, Shah maintained that these territorial disagreements would be settled exclusively via diplomatic channels. Kathmandu has already dispatched an official diplomatic note to New Delhi and received a formal acknowledgment. The Indian government indicated its willingness to establish a joint task force consisting of historians, surveying experts, and border specialists to seek a peaceful resolution through structured talks.
Furthermore, Shah noted that Nepal has engaged in diplomatic consultations with China and the United Kingdom regarding the border alignment. Since the roots of the territorial disputes trace back to the administrative maps compiled during British India, the Prime Minister suggested that the UK should maintain an active interest in resolving the issue. The Nepalese administration is also reviewing various state commission reports, including findings on human rights and recent youth protests, to formulate its long-term policy strategies.
