‘No third party role in matters between India and Nepal’: MEA’s stern response to Balendra Shah’s ‘encroachment’ remarks

In a sharp response to Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s controversial ‘encroachment’ remarks, India on Tuesday strongly rejected involvement of any third party in resolving bilateral matters between New Delhi and Kathmandu, adding that close to 98 per cent of the India–Nepal border has already been demarcated.

India’s stern reaction came after the Nepal Prime Minister on Sunday claimed that the Himalayan nation has encroached on Indian territory.

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Addressing his weekly media briefing here, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal asserted that there is no role for any third parties in a bilateral matter between India and Nepal and the two neighbouring nations have established bilateral mechanisms to deal with all aspects of boundary matters.

He noted that there are cases of cross-border occupation in demarcated segments of the boundary, which are being mapped jointly.

“We have seen the remarks of the Prime Minister of Nepal concerning India India-Nepal boundary as well as the subsequent statement made by the Nepali foreign office on this matter. While close to 98 per cent of the India-Nepali boundary has been demarcated, there are some unresolved segments,” the MEA spokesperson said.

“The shifting of the Gandak River has resulted in this. In addition, there are cases of cross-border occupation and encroachment of no man’s land in demarcated segments of the boundary, which are currently being mapped jointly,” he said.

“We have established bilateral mechanisms to deal with all aspects of boundary matters. It should be clear to all concerned that there is no role for any third parties in a bilateral matter between India and Nepal,” he added.

The MEA spokesperson was responding to a query about Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah reportedly suggesting that the UK and China should be involved in discussions on border issues.

The Nepal PM had also said that his country remains committed to resolving boundary issues with India through talks.

Jaiswal further stated that issues such as cross-border occupation and encroachment in already demarcated “no-man’s land” areas have been identified in some segments, which are currently being jointly mapped and verified by both sides.

Commenting on the ongoing India visit of Nepal’s ruling party RSP president Rabi Lamichhane, the MEA spokesperson stated that the visit of Rabi Lamichhane, President of Nepal’s National Independent Party, is taking place in India.

“The two countries share close people-to-people ties, and there are also relationships between political parties on both sides and these contacts continue. He has arrived in India and has met several individuals. He is also scheduled to hold a number of high-level meetings with senior leaders,” the MEA spokesperson added.