KATHMANDU, May 31: Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s remarks on the Nepal-India border dispute during Sunday’s meeting of the House of Representatives have sparked fresh debate and controversy in political circles. While responding to lawmakers’ questions, Shah said that after becoming prime minister, he learned that “not only has India encroached on Nepal’s land, but Nepal has also encroached on India’s land in many places.”
The prime minister made the statement while responding to a question raised by UML lawmaker Padma Aryal regarding trade routes and other structures built by India and China through Nepali territory including Lipulekh.
Shah stated that the Government of Nepal had already sent an official diplomatic note to India concerning the Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani regions and had also received a response. According to him, the reply indicated that both countries had agreed to resolve the dispute through dialogue involving historians, surveyors and experts familiar with border issues.
Referring to the historical background of the border dispute, the prime minister said discussions were also being held with the British government. “The problems that existed when British India left the region still persist, so we believe Britain also has a role to play in this matter,” he said. He added that the dispute would be addressed through “table-talk diplomacy.”
However, another part of the prime minister’s statement became the centre of controversy. Speaking in Parliament, he said: “Not only has India encroached on Nepal’s land, but Nepal has also encroached on India’s land in many places. Both countries should study the facts and resolve the issue as friends.”
Way to solve India-Nepal border dispute
The main opposition Nepali Congress(NC) objected to the remark. Chief whip Basana Thapa said the prime minister had raised an extremely serious and objectionable issue and demanded that the statement be removed from the parliamentary record.
“You said Nepal has encroached on Indian territory. Where exactly? What is the evidence? If there are facts, they should be made public. Otherwise, such a serious statement should be removed from the record,” Thapa demanded in the House.
Experts on border affairs and diplomacy have also expressed concern over the prime minister’s remarks. Researcher Tanka Kadel described the statement as diplomatically and legally harmful in a post on social media.
According to him, statements made by official representatives of a state cannot easily be disowned by that state under international law. “When the prime minister of a country presents his own nation as an encroacher, it can provide a neighbouring country with moral and psychological grounds to strengthen further territorial claims,” he wrote. Kadel described the remarks as irresponsible and contrary to Nepal’s national interest.
Similarly, border expert Dr Harichandra said that while there is official evidence of Indian encroachment on Nepali territory, there is no proof that Nepal has deliberately occupied Indian land.
He explained that in many parts of the Nepal-India border, boundary pillars are missing, damaged or poorly marked, which may cause local residents or farmers to unknowingly cross into border areas. However, he argued that such incidents cannot be described as deliberate state-sponsored encroachment.
“At a time when Nepal is firmly advancing its claims over disputed territories such as Limpiyadhura, Kalapani and Susta, such remarks by the prime minister could weaken Nepal’s bargaining power,” he said.
He said, “India could use the prime minister’s statement in the future to strengthen its own position. This could weaken Nepal’s negotiating position in border talks with India.”
A number of Gen Z activists have also suggested that the prime minister should exercise greater restraint in his public statements. Activist Majid Ansari said Shah should be more conscious of the responsibilities attached to his office.
He wrote: “Honourable Prime Minister Balendra Shah, you are the prime minister now. You are no longer a rapper, nor are you just a mayor. You are the prime minister. Please understand the weight of your words and uphold that responsibility.”
Ansari said the prime minister was free to express personal opinions in his own way but should show seriousness on matters of national importance.
He further wrote: “What you say from the Parliament rostrum may tomorrow be presented as evidence at an international border dispute negotiation table. It will be used, and it may carry weight. Even social media posts written while serving as prime minister could one day be presented as evidence in border discussions. The Parliament rostrum is not a stage.”
The prime minister’s remarks have triggered broader discussions about the Nepal-India border dispute, diplomatic sensitivities and issues concerning national interest.
