India Responds to Nepal PM Balen Shah's Border Remarks

Kathmandu. India on Tuesday responded to Prime Minister Balen Shah's remarks on bilateral border disputes. India asserted that there would be 'no role for any third party' in the mutual affairs of the two neighboring countries.

Responding to journalists' queries, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that India has taken note of the Nepal Prime Minister's statement and emphasized that border-related issues are being addressed through existing bilateral mechanisms.

'We have seen the Prime Minister's comments. Demarcation has been completed in about 98 percent of the India-Nepal border. Some issues, including those related to encroachment of the no-man's land, still remain. We have established bilateral mechanisms to address such matters,' Jaiswal said.

He mentioned that the current situation in certain areas has arisen due to the Gandak river changing its course and also stated that security personnel are currently deployed in the no-man's land.

Balen Shah's remarks, made for the first time as Prime Minister in a question-and-answer session with parliamentarians after the House of Representatives elections last February, have become controversial. The remarks made by the Prime Minister regarding the Nepal-India border and the development situation in China during the response to questions raised by MPs in the House of Representatives meeting on Sunday have become controversial.

While answering a question from MPs about the Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani dispute, Prime Minister Balen stated that Nepal has also encroached upon India's land. He said, 'You might be surprised to know that not only has India encroached upon Nepal's land, but Nepal has also encroached upon India's land in many places.'

He further added, 'Regarding the issue of Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura, the Nepal government has officially sent a 'diplomatic note' to the Indian government, and a response has also been received. Both governments have agreed to resolve this through 'table talks' by involving their historians and surveyors. Since the problem from the time of British India's departure still exists, we have also discussed this with the British government. This will be resolved through diplomatic means.'