India responds to PM Balendra Shah’s border remarks, Says no role for third parties

KATHMANDU: India has responded to recent remarks made by Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah in Parliament regarding Nepal-India border issues, reiterating that outstanding boundary matters between the two countries should be resolved exclusively through existing bilateral mechanisms and without the involvement of any third party.

Speaking at the press conference today, spokesperson of India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Randhir Jaiswal, New Delhi said it had taken note of Prime Minister Shah’s comments concerning the Nepal-India boundary, as well as a subsequent clarification issued by Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Indian government emphasized that the vast majority of the nearly 1,850-kilometer-long Nepal-India border has already been settled and jointly demarcated.

“We have seen the remarks of Prime Minister of Nepal concerning India-Nepal boundary, as well as the subsequent statement made by the Nepali Foreign Office on this matter,” the MEA spokesperson said.

India Says 98 Percent of Border Already Demarcated

According to the Indian side, approximately 98 percent of the Nepal-India boundary has already been demarcated, with only a few segments remaining unresolved.

The MEA noted that one of the primary reasons for continuing disputes in certain areas is the changing course of the Gandak River, which has affected the physical alignment of sections of the border over time.

India also acknowledged the existence of issues related to cross-border occupation and encroachment in certain demarcated sections, including disputes involving no-man’s land.

“These areas are currently being jointly mapped by the two sides,” the spokesperson said, indicating that technical-level work is ongoing to address remaining concerns.

New Delhi Stresses Existing Bilateral Mechanisms

The statement highlighted that Nepal and India already have established bilateral mechanisms dedicated to addressing all aspects of boundary management and dispute resolution.

Over the years, the two countries have relied on a combination of diplomatic channels, technical committees, and the Joint Boundary Working Group to discuss unresolved border issues and maintain cooperation along the open frontier.

India’s latest response signals its preference for resolving sensitive territorial matters through these existing frameworks rather than through international mediation or external involvement.

Clear Message Against Third-Party Involvement

In what observers see as the most significant element of the statement, India strongly reiterated its long-standing position that border issues between Nepal and India are strictly bilateral 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,” the MEA spokesperson stated.

The remark comes amid renewed public and political discussions in Nepal regarding unresolved border areas and the broader management of Nepal-India relations.

Border Issues Remain Sensitive in Bilateral Relations

Although Nepal and India share deep cultural, economic, and people-to-people ties, boundary issues have periodically emerged as a source of diplomatic sensitivity.

Unresolved areas, including disputes related to river-based boundary shifts and differing interpretations of historical maps, have remained on the agenda of bilateral discussions for years.

Despite these differences, both governments have repeatedly expressed their commitment to resolving outstanding issues through dialogue and mutual understanding.

Focus on Dialogue and Cooperation

India’s statement suggests that New Delhi remains committed to continuing technical and diplomatic engagement with Kathmandu to address the remaining border concerns.

The response also comes at a time when both countries are seeking to deepen cooperation in areas such as energy trade, connectivity, infrastructure development, investment, and regional economic integration.

Diplomatic observers note that while border issues continue to require careful management, both Nepal and India have consistently emphasized the importance of maintaining constructive engagement and utilizing established bilateral mechanisms to resolve outstanding differences.