India rejects third-party role in Nepal border dispute, reaffirms bilateral mechanism

India has firmly rejected involvement of third parties in resolving its boundary dispute with Nepal after Nepalese PM Balendra Shah suggested external mediation. The MEA reiterated that bilateral mechanisms exist, noting that 98% of the border has already been demarcated

New Delhi: India on Tuesday categorically rejected any role for third parties to resolve its boundary row with Nepal, days after Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah sought involvement of China and the UK to address the long-standing dispute.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said both sides have established bilateral mechanisms to deal with all aspects of the border issue and that close to 98 per cent of the India-Nepal boundary has been demarcated.

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Shah, the rapper-turned-politician, said in Nepalese Parliament on Sunday that apart from discussions with India on the border dispute, Nepal was in touch with China and Britain as well.

“Since this problem dates from the time when British India left the region, it is our view that England should be involved in this matter,” he said.

Nepal and India have had an old boundary dispute over Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani. India has consistently maintained that the territories are part of Uttarakhand.

“We have established bilateral mechanisms to deal with all aspects of boundary matters. It should be clear to all concerned that there is no role for any third parties in a bilateral matter between India and Nepal,” Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing.

The external affairs ministry spokesperson’s response came when asked about Shah’s comments. “We have seen the remarks of the prime minister of Nepal concerning India-Nepal boundary as well as the subsequent statement issued by Nepali foreign ministry on this matter,” Jaiswal said.

“While close to 98 per cent of the India-Nepal boundary has been demarcated, there are some unresolved segments. The shifting of the course of the Gandak river has resulted in this situation,” he said.

“In addition, there are cases of cross-border occupation and encroachment of No-Man’s land in demarcated segments of the boundary which are currently being mapped jointly,” he added. In his comments, Shah had also acknowledged that Nepal has “encroached” on Indian territories.