Kathmandu: Nepal Prime Minister Balendra “Balen” Shah has found himself at the center of a political controversy after stating in Parliament that both India and Nepal had encroached upon each other’s territory, a remark that triggered strong criticism from opposition leaders, diplomats, and border experts within Nepal. The statement has once again brought attention to the long-standing border dispute involving the regions of Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani, while also highlighting the need for constructive dialogue between the two neighboring countries.
Addressing Parliament for the first time since assuming office earlier this year, the 35-year-old Prime Minister acknowledged that territorial disagreements remain a sensitive issue in India-Nepal relations. However, he suggested that both nations should rely on historical records, technical surveys, and expert assessments to reach a mutually acceptable resolution.
“You will be surprised to know a fact that I have learnt recently, only after becoming Prime Minister. India has not only encroached Nepali territory, but Nepal has also encroached Indian territory in many places,” Shah told lawmakers. He added that both countries should examine the facts together and settle the matter through friendly discussions.
The remarks immediately generated controversy across Nepal’s political spectrum. Opposition lawmakers demanded that the statement be removed from the parliamentary record unless concrete evidence could be produced. Several senior political figures argued that the Prime Minister’s claim lacked factual backing and risked creating unnecessary confusion regarding an already sensitive bilateral issue.
In response to the growing backlash, Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a clarification, explaining that Shah’s comments were not intended to suggest official territorial annexation by either country. Instead, the ministry said the Prime Minister was referring to instances of cross-border occupation and the use of land in areas where boundary markers are missing or unclear. According to the ministry, people on either side of the border may sometimes occupy or utilize land that technically falls within the territory of the neighboring country.
The clarification emphasized that India and Nepal are already working through established bilateral mechanisms to address such concerns. Technical teams from both nations continue to cooperate on the maintenance and reconstruction of boundary pillars and the collection of data relating to the Dasgaja border areas.
Notably, several prominent Nepalese experts publicly challenged Shah’s original assertion. Renowned geographer and border specialist Buddhi Narayan Shrestha stated that there is no evidence to support claims that Nepal has officially encroached upon Indian territory. He noted that overlapping land use by farmers and residents often occurs due to the open border and the absence of clearly visible boundary markers in certain locations.
Former Nepalese Ambassador to India Nilambara Acharya also questioned the Prime Minister’s statement, pointing out that nearly 97 percent of border issues between the two countries have already been resolved through diplomatic and technical cooperation. According to Acharya, there is no official record of Nepal encroaching upon Indian land. Another former ambassador, Deep Kumar Upadhyay, echoed similar concerns and observed that India has never formally raised such an issue in bilateral discussions.
The controversy comes amid renewed tensions over the Lipulekh route used for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Nepal recently lodged diplomatic protests against India and China over activities in the disputed area, reiterating its claim over Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani under the 1816 Sugauli Treaty.
India, however, has consistently maintained that these territories form an integral part of Uttarakhand and has rejected Nepal’s claims. New Delhi has described attempts to alter established maps as unilateral measures that do not change the ground reality. India has repeatedly emphasized that any outstanding boundary issues should be addressed through peaceful bilateral dialogue and mutual understanding.
The border dispute gained renewed prominence in 2021 when Nepal released a revised political map incorporating the contested territories. India strongly objected to the move, describing it as a unilateral cartographic exercise and reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Despite periodic disagreements, India and Nepal continue to share deep historical, cultural, economic, and people-to-people ties. Analysts note that both countries have successfully resolved the overwhelming majority of border issues through dialogue, demonstrating the strength of their bilateral relationship.
