Kathmandu has expressed its commitment to resolving its longstanding border dispute with India through established bilateral mechanisms, emphasizing that collaborative dialogue can overcome complex challenges. Nepal’s Foreign Minister, Shishir Khanal, stated that his country aims to view India with clear eyes, focusing on economic transformation rather than being influenced by historical anxieties or contemporary geopolitical sensitivities.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that Minister Khanal articulated this position following extensive discussions with his Indian counterpart, S. Jaishankar, in New Delhi. The meetings focused on enhancing cooperation across various sectors including trade, technology, connectivity, and energy. Khanal’s visit occurred amidst a controversy sparked by remarks from Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah suggesting third-party involvement, including China and the UK, in resolving the border row.
Acknowledging India’s emergence as a significant global economic and technological force, the Nepalese foreign minister conveyed Nepal’s aspiration to partner with its dynamic neighbour. He stressed the importance of translating agreements into tangible results that benefit citizens. “Let us build a partnership that is not constrained by the anxieties of the past, but one that is fuelled by the high hopes and promising prospects of our shared future,” Khanal stated, advocating for interdependence where borders serve as efficient bridges rather than barriers.
Nepal and India share a historical boundary dispute concerning areas like Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani, with India asserting these territories fall within Uttarakhand. Prime Minister Shah’s earlier suggestion for China and the UK to mediate the dispute was met with a firm rejection from New Delhi, which maintained that such matters should be addressed bilaterally.
Minister Khanal clarified that Nepal’s reference to the UK’s involvement was in the context of accessing historical documents and archival information relevant to the dispute, not seeking mediation. “We want to solve our disputes through diplomatic processes. We just want to see if we can access some of the documents that might be in libraries or museums in the UK. Our position was not that we were asking for mediation,” he explained. He characterized Nepal’s approach as one of pursuing calm, data-driven, and evidence-based discussions rather than engaging in hyper-nationalistic rhetoric.
Khanal highlighted 2026 as a particularly opportune period for elevating and transforming India-Nepal relations. He reiterated the sentiment that no problem is insurmountable when approached with an open heart, a rational mind, and mutual respect. Regarding Nepal’s reservations about the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra route through Lipulekh, Khanal pointed to concerns arising from an India-China agreement on the route without Nepal’s prior consultation, given Nepal’s claim over the territory.
He articulated Nepal’s stance on the renewal of agreements concerning the Kalapani and Lipulekh areas between India and China, emphasizing that such decisions require Nepal’s consent, as the land is claimed by Nepal. These concerns have been formally communicated through diplomatic channels. Despite these points of contention, Nepal remains committed to resolving the issue through existing bilateral mechanisms.
The Nepalese foreign minister expressed the current government’s strong desire to deepen ties with India. “When we look across the border, we see a rising India—an India that has fundamentally and beautifully redefined itself on the global stage as a dynamic, fast-growing tech and economic powerhouse,” Khanal remarked. He added, “We want to engage with this India of intense aspiration, cutting-edge technology, and relentless execution. In turn, we bring the energy of an aspiring Nepal.”
The Chenab Times News Desk