KATHMANDU, May 31: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has clarified Prime Minister Balendra Shah's remarks in Parliament regarding Nepal and India’s border, stating that his comments referred to instances of cross-border land occupation resulting from historical and technical realities along the two countries' open border.
In a statement issued on Sunday in response to media queries, the MoFA said Prime Minister Shah's observation that "in some places, Indian land may be located on the Nepali side" was linked to the issue of cross-border occupation and encroachment of the no-man's land (Dashgaja), rather than any alteration of Nepal's longstanding position on boundary disputes with India.
The clarification comes amid public debate over Shah's statement in Parliament on Sunday that Nepal, like India, had also occupied land across the border in certain areas.
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MoFA reiterated that Nepal's official position regarding border issues with India remains unchanged. It recalled that the government had already stated its position on May 3 regarding India's operation of the Mansarovar pilgrimage route through the Lipulek area, which Nepal maintains as its territory. Nepal had sent a diplomatic note to India on the matter and subsequently received a response through diplomatic channels.
According to the MoFA, both Nepal and India remain committed to resolving outstanding border disputes through diplomatic dialogue and mutual consultations. The ministry noted that Nepal's present international border with India was established by the Sugauli Treaty of 1816. It said mapping work remains pending in the disputed areas of Susta, Limpiyadhura, Lipulek and Kalapani. Beyond these locations, issues relating to encroachment of the Dashgaja area and cross-border occupation persist in some parts of the border.
MoFA explained that the adoption of the Fixed Boundary Principle in riverine border areas has resulted in situations where citizens of one country cultivate land and reside on territory that falls within the jurisdiction of the other country. As a result, ownership and usage patterns do not always correspond with the officially demarcated boundary.
"The study conducted by the Technical Committee has indicated that in some places, land currently under Nepal's use and occupation may fall on the Indian side, and land currently under India's use and occupation may fall on the Nepali side," the ministry stated.
The MoFA further said joint technical teams from both countries are currently engaged in the construction and maintenance of border pillars and are collecting records related to Dashgaja encroachment and cross-border occupation. It added that the Technical Committee, whose work had remained stalled for years, has resumed activities in border areas and is carrying out joint data collection.
Reaffirming Nepal's commitment to resolving border-related issues peacefully, MoFA said the government remains dedicated to addressing outstanding matters through diplomatic dialogue on the basis of historical treaties, agreements and maps, in line with the close and longstanding relationship between Nepal and India.
