The recent release of a political map by Nepal, where claims are laid on Kalapani, Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh of Uttarakhand and Susta (West Champaran district, Bihar) have stirred controversy with India. The new map suggests an apparent artificial enlargement of territories, which India staunchly rejects citing the lack of historical facts and evidence.
India’s Objection to Nepal’s Unilateral Act
India regards this act as unilateral, contradicting the bilateral agreement to resolve boundary issues through diplomatic dialogue. Subsequently, India has urged Nepal’s Government to refrain from such unjustified cartographic assertion, respect India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and return to dialogue.
Triggering Factors for Nepal’s Controversial Move
This controversy was ignited when India’s Defence Minister inaugurated a motorable link road connecting India and China, cutting short the time for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. The road passes through the Lipulekh pass, a territory claimed by Nepal. Prior to this, Nepal had raised strong objections against India when a new Indian map depicted Kalapani as part of Indian territory. Nepal also disapproved of the 2015 agreement between India and China that allowed the use of Lipulekh pass for trade without consulting Nepal.
Chronic Border Disputes between India and Nepal
Border disputes between India and Nepal revolve around the trijunction of Kalapani-Limpiyadhura-Lipulekh between India-Nepal and China, and the Susta area in West Champaran district, Bihar.
Kalapani Region: A Bone of Contention
The strategic location of Kalapani region serves as a beneficial observation post with its height of over 20,000 ft. The Kali River in this region demarcates the India-Nepal border. However, the inconsistency in locating the source of the Kali river has led to a boundary dispute with both countries producing maps supporting their claims.
Susta Dispute: Gandak River’s Changing Course
The changing course of Gandak river also contributes to the disputes in the Susta area. Nepal asserts that the river originates from a stream at Limpiyadhura, north-west of the Lipu Lekh, thus claiming these territories as part of Nepal’s Dharchula district.
India’s Stand on Border Demarcation
According to India, the Kali river originates in springs well below the Lipu-lekh pass and 19th-century administrative and revenue records indicate Kalapani as being part of Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand.
Repeated Attempts and Failures to Resolve Border Disputes
Since the Joint Technical Level Boundary Working Group’s formation in the 1980s, attempts to delineate the India-Nepal border have proven largely unsuccessful, with issues remaining over Kalapani and the Susta area. Despite agreements between the two nations to resolve these disputes, the situation remains unresolved.
Increasing Distrust and Shifting Allegiances
Recent actions have seen growing distrust between India and Nepal, suspected of a shift in Nepal’s loyalty towards China under Prime Minister K P Oli’s leadership.
The Need to Maintain Relationships
Given the strategic importance of Nepal due to its shared open border and close cultural ties, maintaining positive relations is vital for India. Bilateral treaties between the two nations need reconsideration, bearing in mind the shifting courses of Himalayan rivers.
Addressing Ecological Concerns and Shared Environmental Characteristics
There is a need for India and Nepal to address shared ecological concerns and attempt to resolve border disputes by taking into account the ever-changing geographical conditions.
