Source The Hindu
KATHMANDU — In a statement that has sparked significant diplomatic debate, Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra “Balen” Shah announced that the ongoing border friction between Kathmandu and New Delhi is a two-way issue, claiming that Nepal has also encroached upon Indian territory.
Speaking during a parliamentary session on Sunday, May 31, 2026, Prime Minister Shah addressed the long-standing, sensitive boundary dispute between the two neighboring nations. His comments have immediately drawn both domestic criticism and international attention.
“You will be surprised to know about a fact, which I have learnt recently only after becoming the Prime Minister,” Shah told lawmakers in the House of Representatives. “India has not only encroached Nepalese territories, but Nepal has also encroached India’s territories in many places.”
He urged both nations to step away from unilateral blame, adding, “Now both countries should study the facts and sit together as friends and resolve the issue.”
Bilateral Dialogue and Expert Teams
The Prime Minister was responding to queries from lawmakers regarding disputed border regions, specifically the Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura areas located near the strategic trijunction of India, Tibet, and Nepal.
Shah revealed that Kathmandu had recently sent an official diplomatic note to New Delhi regarding the boundary dispute and has already received a constructive reply. According to the Prime Minister, both governments have mutually agreed to establish dedicated joint teams consisting of:
Historical experts
Topographers and surveyors
Territorial specialists
These teams will map out the boundary and seek a final diplomatic resolution through table talks.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Shah noted that Nepal has initiated diplomatic outreach on the matter with Beijing and London. He explained that the British government needs to remain engaged because the root of the territorial layout dates back to the colonial era before British India left the region in 1947.
Sparks Fly Over “Encroachment” Claim
While the Prime Minister’s emphasis on bilateral talks was welcomed, his claim that Nepal had advanced into Indian territory triggered instant blowback from geopolitical experts and former diplomats back home.
Expert / Diplomat Position Reaction / Stance
Nilamber Acharya Former Nepalese Ambassador to India Dismissed the claim; stated there is no official information or evidence regarding Nepal encroaching on Indian land. Note that 97% of the border is settled.
Deep Kumar Upadhyay Former Nepalese Ambassador to India Questioned the context of the PM’s speech, stating that such a claim is completely absent from official historical records on both sides.
Buddhi Narayan Shrestha Border Expert & Geographer Clarified that while missing border pillars cause local farmers on both sides to cross-cultivate land, the state of Nepal has never expanded its official occupation.
