India Reportedly Planning Union Territory Near Nepal Border to Curb Infiltration

Kathmandu. India has reportedly begun preparations to create a separate Union Territory centered on the Nepal-India border region. Sources claim that preparations are underway to establish this as a Union Territory by merging the Araria, Purnia, Kishanganj, and Katihar districts of Bihar and parts of West Bengal, specifically Malda and Uttar Dinajpur. This move is said to be completed before the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.

The Indian government asserts that creating a Union Territory encompassing this area will help prevent infiltration and criminal activities originating from Nepal and Bangladesh. Indian Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the border region is strategically very important from the perspective of national security. India appears highly sensitive regarding security due to the proximity of the 'Chicken's Neck' area.

Indian Home Minister Shah reviewed the security and management of the Nepal-India border. Home Minister Shah also participated in a meeting of the Indian Land Port Authority. Raxaul, located on the Nepal-India border, is one of the country's fifteen land ports.

Meanwhile, reports have reached the Indian government indicating a rapid increase in new settlements and religious sites in the Parsa and Bara districts of Nepal. During discussions with security personnel, concerns were raised claiming an increase in Chinese activities in Rautahat, Nepal, which borders Sitamarhi in India.

An Indian researcher studying security matters stated, 'India is very concerned about the activities happening in Nepal, which is why efforts are being made to create a Union Territory to increase its security surveillance in the border region.' It is also reported that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is 'convinced' of this plan.

In the second week of Falgun, Indian Home Minister Amit Shah visited Bihar and discussed this matter. Addressing a program, Prime Minister Modi also announced the launch of a 'high-level demographic mission' to identify 'infiltrators.' The Indian government has reports indicating widespread infiltration in Muslim-majority areas of Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam.

Journalist Arun Srivastava wrote on the online portal Countercurrents.org, 'This proposed Union Territory is primarily a political project. If administrative efficiency were the goal, a detailed survey would have been conducted and discussions held regarding development projects before bringing forth such a proposal, but nothing of the sort has been seen so far.'

Union Territories are generally created for administrative efficiency in good governance and to preserve distinct cultural identities. Arun Subedi, an expert in foreign affairs, stated that due to the Chicken's Neck and growing international geopolitics, India is planning to create a Union Territory by merging parts of Bihar, West Bengal, and Darjeeling.