Nepal PM Balendra Shah triggers row over ‘encroaching’ Indian land remark

Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Sunday, May 31, sparked a major political controversy in the Himalayan nation after statng that he has learnt about his country “encroaching” territories in India.

The statement came as Shah sought to answer questions in the Parliament over the long-running border dispute, PTI reported.

Advertisement

In order to seek resolution, both the nations have agreed to take the help of historians, surveyors and experts, Shah said.

Regarding the issue, Nepal has even held diplomatic discussions with China and the UK, he added.

Notably, the two nations have an old boundary dispute over Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura, with both India and Nepal claiming the areas.

“The Nepal government has officially sent a diplomatic note to India, mentioning the issue of encroachment of territories by India, including Lipulekh, and we have already received their response,” Shah told the Parliament.

“Both the countries have agreed to resolve the issue sitting together with the help of historians, surveyors and concerned experts through diplomatic means,” he added.

However, Shah went on to add that it is not only India that has “encroached” land in Nepal, the latter too had done the same with India.

On this matter, India has maintained that the territories are part of Uttarakhand. It further stated that the matter should be addressed through bilateral dialogue.