Nepal-India Border Dispute: What Does Delhi’s Statement on ‘No Third-Party Role’ Mean?
Image source, EPA
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has stated in response to journalists’ questions that there is no third-party role in the Nepal-India border issue.
Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah ‘Balen’ recently expressed in Parliament last Sunday that ‘Nepal has also encroached on Indian land’. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson responded on this matter systematically.
In Parliament, the Prime Minister said, “…it is not only India; Nepal has also encroached on land in certain areas of India…”
While the Prime Minister’s statement has sparked opposition from political groups in Nepal, Indian officials suggest there is no need to reject it outright, as journalist Yubaraj Ghimire, who has long covered these issues, explains.
“Both countries have agreed in principle to move forward, so there shouldn’t be any visible disagreement,” said former editor Ghimire.
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Ravi Lamichhane was visiting Delhi on an invitation from India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). During his visit, India’s Ministry of External Affairs clearly stated its stance on the border dispute.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal informed that Nepal-India border disputes are to be resolved through bilateral mechanisms, and there is no role for any third party in this regard.
Prime Minister Shah was the first to mention in Parliament the possible role of the UK in resolving the Nepal-India border dispute.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry’s recent statement related the Prime Minister’s comment to issues of ‘Dasgaja encroachment’ and ‘cross-border occupation’.
Image source, NEPAL EMBASSY
What Did the Ministry of External Affairs Say?
During a press briefing, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said they have studied Prime Minister Shah’s border remarks and the Nepalese Foreign Ministry’s statement.
“About 98 percent of the India-Nepal border has already been delineated, but some areas remain unresolved,” Jaiswal said.
“Changes in the flow of the Gandaki River have resulted in such situations. Additionally, there are issues related to occupation and encroachment—especially concerning Dasgaja—in certain determined border sections, which are currently under joint mapping processes.”
He emphasized that all border disputes are being addressed through bilateral mechanisms, and there is no role for any third party in this matter.
Could India’s statement cause discomfort for Nepal?
Journalist Ghimire says, “The topics where both sides have already reached agreement do not involve third parties. However, the Prime Minister offering clarification in Parliament could help ease concerns.”
Government spokesperson Sasmita Pokharel stated that the Prime Minister himself was surprised by his own remark on Nepal’s encroachment in the border dispute.
“The Prime Minister expressed surprise even if Nepal had encroached,” Pokharel said.
However, journalist Ghimire insists that because this is a sensitive issue, the Prime Minister must clearly communicate his position in Parliament.
“The Prime Minister needs to clarify because this is a matter between Nepal and India regarding the border, and commitments to resolve border disputes must be reaffirmed periodically,” he stressed.
“Moving forward without clear articulation could create problems, so it is appropriate for the Prime Minister to issue clarification.”
What Happened During RSP Chairman’s Visit?
Image source, RSP
During his trip to Delhi, RSP Chairman Ravi Lamichhane’s visit was seen as an effort to steer Nepal-India relations in a positive direction by journalist Ghimire.
“This is an appropriate forum to discuss various aspects of the bilateral relationship. The governments of both countries regularly resolve disputes,” he commented.
Ravi Lamichhane traveled to Delhi on Monday at the invitation of the Bharatiya Janata Party and met BJP President Nitin Nitin and Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday.
BJP President Nitin Nitin and Foreign Minister Jaishankar shared information about the meetings through social media.
Foreign Minister Jaishankar mentioned that discussions were focused on development partnership and people-to-people relations between the two countries, which play a key role in mutual prosperity.
BJP President Nitin Nitin expressed great pleasure in welcoming Lamichhane and his delegation at the party headquarters.
“Meaningful discussions were held on strengthening the relationship and cooperation between BJP and RSP,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“There was also an important exchange of information regarding organizational structure from the federation to booth level, membership processes, and connections with party workers.”
He also highlighted that development and public welfare are key priorities of the Indian government under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.