Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal Visits India Amidst Discussions on Balen Shah's Remarks and Border Disputes

Kathmandu. Discussions about National Independent Party Chairman Ravi Lamichhane's visit to India had barely subsided when Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal arrived in India for a three-day program.

 The visit of RSP Chairman Lamichhane and Foreign Minister Khanal to India occurred at a time when opposition parties in Nepal were obstructing parliament over statements made by Prime Minister Balendra (Balen) Shah in parliament.

Various comments were also being made in India regarding Prime Minister Balen's statement. Many expressed concern and interest about how Prime Minister Balen's remarks would affect Nepal-India relations.

While there was talk of the Indian government and its ruling party, the Bharatiya Janata Party, giving significant importance to RSP Chairman Ravi Lamichhane, Foreign Minister Khanal also embarked on a visit to India.

Foreign Minister Khanal held a meeting with his Indian counterpart S. Jaishankar. It is said that bilateral relations were discussed at length during the meeting. The Nepal-India border dispute was also discussed during the same meeting.

सीमा विवादमा बेलायतको इन्ट्रीदेखि प्रधानमन्त्री बालेनको भारत भ्रमणबारे परराष्ट्रमन्त्रीले के भने ?

Foreign Minister Khanal also held a brief interaction with journalists in New Delhi. Indian media have published news about the border dispute and bilateral relations based on these developments and Foreign Minister Khanal's statements.

Indian newspaper Navbharat Times prioritized news on its online edition, based on the conversation Foreign Minister Khanal had with journalists at the Nepali Embassy in Delhi. Quoting the minister's answer to a question about the border dispute, the news stated, 'We are children of the same river. When we live with an open mind, no problem is too big, no border is too complex. We have looked towards India with an open heart, a clear vision, and a transparent agenda – Nepal's economic transformation.'

The news also mentioned that Minister Khanal considered Nepal-India relations very important and stated that mutual relations are very good.

Another Indian newspaper, Dainik Jagran's online edition also gave priority to news related to Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal's visit to India.

Quoting the statement made by Minister Khanal at a press conference organized at the Nepali Embassy in Delhi, the news stated, 'Nepal does not want to see New Delhi through the lens of 21st-century geopolitics. While there should be a clear and transparent agenda between the two countries.'

The news mentioned that Minister Khanal clarified that the government led by Balen Shah is a completely new political reality and stated that 'this government does not want to hold Nepal-India relations hostage by carrying old burdens.'

खनाल र जयशंकारबिच भेटवार्ताः कनेक्टिभिटी, ऊर्जा र आर्थिक रूपान्तरणमा प्रतिबद्धता

The news also included the statement made by Minister Khanal clarifying the reason for Britain's involvement in the Nepal-India border dispute. Quoting Minister Khanal, the news stated, 'The comments related to Britain were limited only to the context of obtaining information from historical documents and the British Library-Museum, not a demand for mediation.'

It was also mentioned in the news that he claimed the Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura areas belong to Nepal and clarified that he wants to resolve this issue through bilateral mechanisms. It was reported that he objected to the agreement between India and China for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via the Lipulekh route, stating that such a decision cannot be made without Nepal's consent.

Indian news channel 'Aaj Tak''s online edition also published news related to Minister Khanal's visit to India. The news mentioned that Minister Khanal stated that his visit was successful in taking concrete steps to strengthen mutual relations and resolve various issues, including the border dispute.

The news quoted 'Aaj Tak' as stating that Minister Khanal expressed confidence that issues such as border disputes, regional differences, and border management can be resolved through diplomatic means and existing bilateral mechanisms.

Indian newspaper Amar Ujala's online edition also published news regarding Minister Khanal's visit to India. The news mentioned that Minister Khanal expressed the view that the common border of the two countries should be a strong bridge, not an obstacle.

It was stated that he asserted that there are old disputes with India regarding borders and demarcation, and expressed confidence that these issues can be resolved peacefully through dialogue.

The news mentioned that Minister Khanal clarified that Nepal does not want any third-party mediation in the border dispute and expressed confidence that long-pending issues can be resolved by reactivating the existing mechanisms between the two countries.