Kathmandu: Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that there is an understanding with India to resolve border issues, including territories such as Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani, through diplomatic mechanisms.
Responding to a question by a lawmaker in the House of Representatives on Monday, PM Oli mentioned that the construction and restoration of border posts along the Nepal-India border are underway.
“The Federal Parliament, the Government of Nepal, and all Nepalis have been clear and firm regarding the international border of Nepal. Through the second amendment to the Constitution of Nepal on June 17, 2020, new maps have been included in Schedule-3 of the Constitution, and there is an unprecedented national consensus on border issues. According to the Sugauli Treaty of 1816, the Government of Nepal is firm and clear that all the territories east of the Kali (Mahakali) river, including Limpiyadhura, Kalapani, and Lipulekh, belong to Nepal,” said PM Oli, myrepublica reported.
He stated that during meetings between the prime ministers of Nepal and India on the occasion of high-level visits, there was an agreement to resolve the border issues through established diplomatic mechanisms.
“In the seventh meeting of the Nepal-India Joint Commission held at the foreign minister level on January 4, 2024, the border issue was also discussed, and there was a commitment to complete the work on the remaining sections of the Nepal-India border as soon as possible,” he said.
“Construction, restoration, and repair of border pillars, along with technical work such as preparation of no-man’s land and cross-holding, are being carried out continuously. Efforts are being made to resume meetings in bilateral harmony.”
He added that the Government of Nepal is committed to resolving the border problems through negotiations and diplomacy with the Government of India based on the Sugauli Treaty, various maps, historical facts, and evidence.
PM Oli also said that an Armed Police Force (APF) unit has been deployed in Chhangru of Darchula district, and six border outposts – five along the borders with India and one along the borders with China – have been added in Darchula district in recent times.
A month ago, then Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ had stressed that his government is determined that all territories east of Kali (Mahakali) river including Limpiyadhura, Kalapani and Lipu Lekh belong to Nepal.
The Kalapani dispute is a border dispute between India and Nepal over a 373 square kilometer area in the Pithoragarh (Uttarakhand). The dispute stems from different interpretations of the origin of the Kali River, forming a border between the two countries.
The Kalapani region is situated at the tri-junction of India, Nepal, and China.
In May this year the Prachanda government in Nepal decided to depict the contested India-Nepal-China tri-junction on its currency notes.
