Nepal PM Balen Shah’s remark that Nepal also encroached Indian territory sparked controversy, drawing opposition criticism, demands for proof or apology, while government clarified comments referred to border irregularities, not claims.
Photo : PTI
Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Sunday said he has learnt about his country “encroaching” territories in India, as he sought to answer questions in Parliament on a long-running border dispute and instead triggered a controversy. Hours later, Nepal Foreign Ministry said PM Shah’s comments were related to “no-man’s land encroachments” and “cross-border occupation” between the two countries, rather than any territorial claims.
What Balen Shah Said
On Sunday, Shah told Parliament: “The Nepal government has officially sent a diplomatic note to India, mentioning the issue of encroachment of territories by India, including Lipulekh, and we have already received their response.”
“Both the countries have agreed to resolve the issue sitting together with the help of historians, surveyors and concerned experts through diplomatic means,” he said.
When specifically asked by a lawmaker about the government’s view on the dispute concerning the Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani areas, Shah said it is not just India that has “encroached” land in Nepal, the latter too had done the same with its southern neighbour.
“You will be surprised to know about a fact, which I have learnt recently, only after becoming the Prime Minister. It is not only India that has encroached Nepalese territories, but Nepal has also encroached India’s territories in many places,” said the prime minister, who came to power after a sweeping election victory earlier this year.
“Now both countries should study the facts and sit together as friends and resolve the issue.”
Shah said Kathmandu has also taken up the matter with China and the United Kingdom. He said he raised the matter with the UK because it dates back to a period when the British government left the region.
The Controversy Over Shah’s Remarks
Shah’s comments about Nepal encroaching Indian territories have triggered a controversy.
Opposition lawmakers, including Basana Thapa of the Nepali Congress and Ramesh Malla of the Nepali Communist Party, objected to Shah’s remarks and demanded that they be expunged from the parliamentary record.