'No role for third parties': Why India rejected Nepal PM's call for China, UK involvement in border issues | WION Decodes

India on Tuesday (June 3) firmly ruled out any role for third parties in resolving its boundary dispute with Nepal. India's response came as its Ministry of External Affairs was bombarded with question on the comments made Nepalese Prime Minister Balen Shah suggesting involvment of China and the United Kingdom in resolving the border issues. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India and Nepal already have established bilateral mechanisms to address all aspects of their border matters. He clarified that nearly the entire boundary between the two countries has been settled. New Delhi also pointed at the subsequent statement by Nepal Foreign Ministry.

Also Read: Nepal PM Balendra Shah backs dialogue, diplomatic efforts to resolve border dispute with India

“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 the ministry’s weekly media briefing. He added that New Delhi had taken note of Shah’s remarks as well as a subsequent clarification issued by Nepal’s Foreign Ministry. “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," he said.

Also Read: Nepal PM’s first parliamentary address sparks debate on border issues with India

What Nepal PM said?

On Sunday, Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah in his first address in Parliament, raised border issues with India. He said, “It may be surprising to you, but after becoming Prime Minister, I recently learned that not only has India encroached on Nepal’s territory, but Nepal has also encroached on some areas of India. As two friendly nations, we have decided to take this forward through diplomatic channels.” He told lawmakers that Kathmandu has also taken up the matter with China and the United Kingdom, the latter due to its colonial legacy in the region. The remarks came in response to a question from an opposition lawmaker seeking answers on the government’s approach to longstanding border disputes with India.

Nepal’s foreign ministry issues clarification

Hours later, Nepal’s Foreign Ministry issued a clarification. The statement in Nepali stated, “Studies conducted by the technical committee have indicated that in some locations, land currently being used and occupied by Nepal may actually fall on the Indian side, while land currently being used and occupied by India may fall on the Nepali side." The Prime Minister’s statement in Parliament that “in some places, Indian land may be located on Nepal’s side” should be understood in the context of this technical reality and the issue of cross-border occupation.” Earlier in 2002, the previous Oli government issued a new political map of Nepal, staking claim to Indian territories of Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura after India opened a road through Lipulekh to Kailash Mansarovar. This was categorically rejected by India.