The Crossbill News Desk
Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah has said that border disputes between Nepal and India should be addressed through dialogue, while also suggesting that the United Kingdom take an interest in the matter because of its historical origins.
Speaking in Parliament on Sunday (May 31), Shah acknowledged that territorial encroachments had occurred on both sides of the border and called for a comprehensive review of the issue.
According to a report in The Kathmandu Post, Shah made the remarks while responding to a question from Aaren Rai of the Shram Sanskriti Party.
“After becoming prime minister, I came to know that not only has India encroached on Nepal’s land, but Nepal has also encroached on India’s land in multiple places. Both sides need to sit down and look into the matter,” Shah said.
Addressing another question from Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) deputy parliamentary party leader Padma Aryal on the Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura dispute, Shah reiterated that the matter would ultimately be settled through diplomatic engagement.
He further revealed that Kathmandu had reached out not only to India and China but also to the UK regarding the dispute.
“We have spoken not only with India and China but also with the UK government. Our view is that the UK should also take an interest, as the issue dates back to the period when British India left the region,” Shah said.
According to the report, Nepal has already sent an official diplomatic note to India concerning the issue.
Referring to New Delhi’s response, Shah said, “The response states that both governments will form teams comprising historians, surveyors and experts familiar with the territory and seek a resolution through table talks.”
The remarks come weeks after a fresh exchange between the two countries over the disputed regions of Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani. Earlier this month, Nepal’s foreign ministry asserted that “Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani, situated east of the Mahakali River, have been integral parts of Nepal’s territory since the Sugauli Treaty of 1816.”
Nepal also said it had communicated its concerns to both India and China and urged India not to undertake activities such as road construction, border trade or pilgrimage-related projects in the disputed area.
India, however, rejected Nepal’s claims. Responding to Kathmandu’s statement, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India’s position “has been consistent and clear” and maintained that the Lipulekh Pass “has been a long standing route for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra since 1954.”
The latest diplomatic exchange followed India’s announcement on May 1 regarding the 2026 Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, which is scheduled to take place between June and August.
Under the plan, 10 batches of 50 pilgrims each will travel through the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand, while another 10 batches will undertake the pilgrimage through the Nathu La Pass in Sikkim. China subsequently welcomed the resumption of the yatra and said it would facilitate the travel of 1,000 Indian pilgrims this year.
Speaking in Parliament on Sunday (May 31), Shah acknowledged that territorial encroachments had occurred on both sides of the border and called for a comprehensive review of the issue.
According to a report in The Kathmandu Post, Shah made the remarks while responding to a question from Aaren Rai of the Shram Sanskriti Party.
“After becoming prime minister, I came to know that not only has India encroached on Nepal’s land, but Nepal has also encroached on India’s land in multiple places. Both sides need to sit down and look into the matter,” Shah said.
Addressing another question from Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) deputy parliamentary party leader Padma Aryal on the Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura dispute, Shah reiterated that the matter would ultimately be settled through diplomatic engagement.
He further revealed that Kathmandu had reached out not only to India and China but also to the UK regarding the dispute.
“We have spoken not only with India and China but also with the UK government. Our view is that the UK should also take an interest, as the issue dates back to the period when British India left the region,” Shah said.
According to the report, Nepal has already sent an official diplomatic note to India concerning the issue.
Referring to New Delhi’s response, Shah said, “The response states that both governments will form teams comprising historians, surveyors and experts familiar with the territory and seek a resolution through table talks.”
The remarks come weeks after a fresh exchange between the two countries over the disputed regions of Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani. Earlier this month, Nepal’s foreign ministry asserted that “Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani, situated east of the Mahakali River, have been integral parts of Nepal’s territory since the Sugauli Treaty of 1816.”
Nepal also said it had communicated its concerns to both India and China and urged India not to undertake activities such as road construction, border trade or pilgrimage-related projects in the disputed area.
India, however, rejected Nepal’s claims. Responding to Kathmandu’s statement, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India’s position “has been consistent and clear” and maintained that the Lipulekh Pass “has been a long standing route for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra since 1954.”
The latest diplomatic exchange followed India’s announcement on May 1 regarding the 2026 Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, which is scheduled to take place between June and August.
Under the plan, 10 batches of 50 pilgrims each will travel through the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand, while another 10 batches will undertake the pilgrimage through the Nathu La Pass in Sikkim. China subsequently welcomed the resumption of the yatra and said it would facilitate the travel of 1,000 Indian pilgrims this year.
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