Nepal Prime Minister Balen Shah has triggered a political controversy after claiming that Nepal has also encroached on Indian territory, a statement that appears to contradict Kathmandu’s long-standing position on border disputes with India.
Speaking in Parliament during his maiden address since taking office earlier this year, the 35-year-old prime minister said he had learned after assuming office that territorial encroachment was not a one-sided issue. Shah suggested that both Nepal and India should jointly study historical records and geographical facts before working towards a solution.
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The remarks come against the backdrop of the long-running dispute over areas including Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura. Nepal has repeatedly claimed these territories belong to it, while India maintains they are part of the state of Uttarakhand.
Shah’s comments quickly drew criticism from opposition leaders, diplomats and foreign policy experts. Several lawmakers demanded that the statement either be backed by evidence or withdrawn from the parliamentary record. Former Nepalese ambassadors to India also questioned the basis of the claim, noting that no official records indicate Nepal has encroached on Indian territory.
As criticism mounted, Nepal’s Foreign Ministry issued a clarification, stating that the prime minister was referring to instances of cross-border occupation and encroachment in no-man’s land areas rather than any formal territorial expansion by the Nepali state. The ministry explained that due to shifting river boundaries and technical mapping issues, citizens from both countries sometimes cultivate or occupy land that technically falls across the border.
The ministry further stressed that Nepal’s official position on disputed border regions remains unchanged and that unresolved issues should be addressed through diplomatic dialogue and mutual understanding with India.
India has consistently maintained that the disputed territories are part of Uttarakhand and has advocated resolving all outstanding border issues through bilateral discussions. New Delhi has not officially accused Nepal of encroaching on Indian territory, making Shah’s remarks particularly controversial in both political and diplomatic circles.
