Border Disputes at Two Locations Between Nepal and India, Negotiations Underway: Foreign Minister Shrestha

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha has stated that there are unresolved border disputes between Nepal and India, particularly in two regions, Susta and Kalapani.

During the meeting of the Federalism Strengthening and National Concerns Committee under the National Assembly on Monday, he mentioned that ongoing negotiations are in place to address these disputes. He emphasized that diplomatic efforts are being actively pursued to resolve the issues.

“The Nepal-India border issue, especially in the areas of Susta and Kalapani, remains unresolved. It is currently subject to formal negotiations. We have established mechanisms to handle this matter, yet a resolution has not been reached. We continue to advocate for the formal recognition of our territory so that Nepal can uphold its sovereignty and territorial integrity, but these issues are yet to be resolved. Our stance is that these problems should be resolved through diplomatic means, and we are actively pursuing such initiatives,” Minister Shrestha explained.

Meanwhile, last Thursday, amidst unresolved border tensions, the government decided to depict the country’s new map on the Rs 100 note. This decision has elicited various opinions from intellectuals.

Additionally, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar has expressed his dissatisfaction with Nepal’s decision, critiquing it as unilateral especially while the border discussions were ongoing.

Currently, the 100 rupee banknotes in Nepal feature an map that does not include Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura, even though the parliament endorsed a new political map in May 2020. This new map added 335 square kilometers to Nepal, increasing its total area from 147,181 to 147,516 square kilometers.