‘Not as big as it’s made out to be': Nepal foreign minister Shishir Khanal on border row with India

Nepal's foreign minister, Shisir Khanal, downplayed the recent border dispute with India during an NDTV event on Thursday. He emphasized that countries naturally have boundary problems, suggesting the issue was being exaggerated. Khanal stated that Nepal has open borders, a unique feature in the world where people can cross without any documentation.

While acknowledging there are some issues, he clarified that the dispute is not as significant as often portrayed in certain narratives. The majority of these concerns pertain to Nepal-India relations, specifically border and border management.

Earlier this year, a border dispute erupted between India and Nepal over the Lipulekh Pass, situated in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district. Kathmandu has repeatedly asserted its territorial claim over the area, also seeking dialogue with New Delhi to resolve the matter. Nepal protested India and China's plan to conduct the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via the Lipulekh Pass, citing it as Kathmandu's territory.

The Nepalese foreign ministry alleged that India and China did not consult Kathmandu before finalizing the pilgrimage route.

In response, India rejected Nepal's objection, labeling it as an "untenable unilateral artificial enlargement" of territorial claims. Nepal's government spokesperson, Sasmit Pokharel, stated that Kathmandu had not been consulted before the decision and was committed to its stance. India also rejected any involvement of third parties in resolving the boundary dispute, reporting that Nepal's Prime Minister had sought the participation of China and the United Kingdom.

However, Nepal later reiterated its preference for resolving the issue through existing bilateral mechanisms, stating that no problem is too large or complex when both sides approach it with an open heart, rational mind, and mutual respect.