Nepali Congress MP Sunil Bahadur Thapa Criticizes PM Balendra Shah's Border Remarks

Kathmandu. Nepali Congress MP Sunil Bahadur Thapa has called Prime Minister Balendra Shah's statement regarding the Nepal-India border in the House of Representatives extremely serious, unfortunate, and irresponsible.

Speaking at the National Assembly meeting on Wednesday, he accused the statement, implying that Nepal has encroached upon Indian territory, of tarnishing Nepal's image internationally.

MP Thapa warned that the Prime Minister's statement would seriously affect Nepal's diplomacy with other countries. He emphasized that the statements of the head of government on issues related to Nepal's sovereignty, national interest, and sensitive relations with neighboring countries must be fact-based, clear, and responsible.

He urged the Prime Minister to immediately present concrete evidence to the parliament and the public to substantiate his claims, and if not, to apologize to the nation. He stated that no one has the right to create confusion on matters related to national interest.

Speaking at the meeting, MP Thapa said, 'Statements related to Nepal's sovereignty, national interest, and sensitive issues with neighboring countries must be extremely responsible, clear, and based on reality. If the Prime Minister has concrete evidence to support his statement, that evidence should be presented to the parliament and the Nepali people. If there is no such evidence, he should apologize to the nation. No one has the right to create confusion on matters related to national interest. What is even more concerning is that an attempt appears to have been made to involve a third country's role or opinion in the bilateral border and geopolitical issues between Nepal and India. Nepal's borders, sovereignty, and matters related to national interest should be resolved through dialogue between Nepal and India and established diplomatic mechanisms. Involving a third party unnecessarily in such sensitive matters is not in Nepal's interest.'

Prime Minister Shah had stated that discussions were also being held with England (UK) regarding the Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura border disputes. MP Thapa mentioned that the attempt to involve a third country's role or opinion in Nepal-India border and geopolitical issues is a matter of concern. He asserted that issues related to Nepal's border, sovereignty, and national interest should be resolved through bilateral dialogue between Nepal and India and established diplomatic mechanisms. He clarified that unnecessarily involving a third party in such sensitive matters could create mistrust and tension in Nepal-India relations, and Nepal would gain no benefit from diplomatic confrontation.

MP Thapa commented that the clarification issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after the Prime Minister's statement has raised even more questions. The ministry had clarified that the Prime Minister's statement was related to the 'cross-holding' in the Susta area and the complex border situation.

Speaking on this matter, Thapa clarified that 'cross-border occupation' or 'cross-holding' cannot be termed as one country encroaching upon another's land. He mentioned that the parliament is being obstructed due to the Prime Minister's irresponsible statement and urged the Prime Minister to play a responsible role in resuming the parliamentary proceedings.