Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah's Border Remarks Spark Diplomatic Row

Parliamentary Statements Trigger Tension

Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah has reignited a long-standing border dispute between Nepal and India following comments made during a session of Parliament. While answering questions regarding the ongoing territorial disagreements, PM Shah stated that both Nepal and India have encroached on each other's land.

These remarks have triggered what sources describe as a "political and diplomatic storm". The comments are seen as reviving a border dispute that dates back approximately 200 years.

Territorial Disputes and the Lipulekh Pass

A central point of contention in the territorial row involves the Lipulekh Pass. Nepal has formally objected to the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra when conducted via this pass, asserting that the route crosses territory claimed by Nepal.

The dispute over the pass is part of a broader historical disagreement regarding the demarcation of the border between the two nations. The recent statements by PM Shah have brought these specific territorial claims back to the forefront of bilateral relations.

Political Context in Nepal

The diplomatic tension coincides with internal political volatility within the Nepali government. Sudan Gurung, Nepal's Home Minister and described as a close associate of Balendra Shah, recently resigned from his position.

Gurung's resignation followed controversies that reporting described as involving questionable deals, loans, and unexplained cash entries. This internal instability occurs as the administration navigates the fallout from the Prime Minister's public assertions regarding mutual encroachment on Indian and Nepali lands.