Kathmandu : The long-standing border dispute between Nepal and India has once again become a focal point of political debate in Nepal. Opposition parties have urged Prime Minister Balen Shah’s government to initiate high-level talks with India over the disputed territories of Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura.
The opposition has argued that the issue cannot be resolved through diplomatic notes or statements alone, and that a more direct and structured diplomatic engagement with India is necessary.
Nepal has long maintained its claim over Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura, stating that these territories are historically part of its sovereign land. The 1816 Treaty of Sugauli is often cited as the basis for this claim. However, India has consistently rejected Nepal’s claims, stating that these areas remain under its administrative control.
In recent years, renewed activity related to the Lipulekh route for India–China trade and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has brought the issue back into political discussion, increasing pressure within Nepal’s domestic political landscape.
Opposition leaders have accused the government of lacking a clear and assertive stance on the matter. They insist that the issue is not merely a border dispute but a matter of national sovereignty, requiring direct dialogue with India.
The government led by Prime Minister Balen Shah is now facing growing diplomatic and political pressure, as it attempts to balance domestic expectations with regional diplomatic sensitivities.