Kathmandu, May 31: Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah, also known as Balen Shah, has stirred controversy with his remarks in Parliament, claiming that India has encroached upon Nepalese land. Following his statement, the Nepalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a clarification.
According to the Kathmandu Post, the Ministry clarified that Shah’s comments were not about territorial claims but rather addressed issues related to cross-border land usage and encroachments along the Nepal-India border.
In response to questions from lawmakers on Sunday, Shah stated that since becoming Prime Minister, he has learned that not only has India occupied land in Nepal, but Nepal has also encroached on Indian territory in several areas.
Ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Paudel Chhetri explained that the Prime Minister’s remarks primarily concerned encroachments in no-man’s land areas along the border, which he referred to as cross-border occupation.
The Ministry stated, “The issue mentioned by the Prime Minister in Parliament is actually related to encroachments in the Dasgaja area (no-man’s land) and cross-border occupation.”
According to the Ministry, the border in riverine areas was determined using the fixed boundary principle, resulting in situations where citizens of one country cultivate or reside on land that falls under the jurisdiction of another.
The Ministry’s statement revealed that a technical committee’s study indicated that the land currently utilized and occupied by Nepal may fall within the Indian territory, while the land used and occupied by India may lie within Nepalese territory.
The statement added, “The Prime Minister’s assertion in Parliament that some areas of Indian land may be on the Nepalese side relates to this technical reality and the issue of cross-border occupation.”
This clarification follows criticism and debate sparked by Shah’s parliamentary comments, which some interpreted as an assertion of Nepalese encroachment on Indian territory. During the same parliamentary session, Shah also emphasized the need for Nepal and India to engage in dialogue on border-related issues, reiterating that disputes over Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani should be resolved through diplomatic discussions.
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