Nepal PM admits Nepal encroached on Indian territory, sparks political uproar
On May 31, 2026, Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah stated in Parliament that Nepal has encroached upon Indian territory in several places, a first-ever admission by a Nepali head of government. The remark, made during discussions on the disputed Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura regions, triggered an uproar. Lawmakers demanded clarification and removal of the remarks, citing damage to national integrity. Shah also suggested involving China and the UK in resolution, which India firmly rejected, insisting on bilateral mechanisms.
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Nepal Foreign Minister Khanal: Border row with India can be resolved through diplomacy and open dialogue
Nepalese Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal, during a three-day visit to New Delhi, stated that Nepal seeks to resolve the ongoing border dispute with India through diplomacy and an 'open heart.' Speaking after talks with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Khanal emphasized that no problem is too large when both sides engage constructively. He rejected hyper-nationalistic grandstanding, advocating instead for a calm, data-driven approach. The visit was overshadowed by recent controversial remarks on the boundary issue by Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah. Khanal also praised India's economic rise, describing it as a 'tech and economic powerhouse,' and expressed Nepal's desire to build a mutually beneficial relationship focused on economic transformation. He framed Nepal's approach as looking at India with 'clear eyes' and a transparent agenda for prosperity.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Nepal Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal visits India, meets NSA Doval
Nepal's Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal arrived in New Delhi on June 5, 2026, becoming the first minister from Prime Minister Balen Shah's cabinet to visit India since the new government took charge in March. Khanal met Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, signaling deepening security dialogue. The visit, scheduled through June 7, covers an expansive agenda including development cooperation, trade, investment, connectivity, energy, and people-to-people ties. Khanal also participated in a roundtable hosted by the India Foundation. Ahead of the visit, he met veteran diplomat Bhek Bahadur Thapa, who handed over an EPG report on border disputes, including the Kalapani-Lipulek-Limpiyadhura issue. The dispute was recently raised in Nepal's parliament, with Prime Minister Shah stating both countries occupy each other's territory, drawing a rebuttal from India's MEA. The visit revives high-level diplomatic engagement paused after the fall of the Oli government. Earlier, RSP chairperson Rabi Lamichhane also visited India and met PM Modi, Jaishankar, and Doval.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Nepal Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal to Visit India from June 5
Nepal's Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal will visit India from June 5 to 7 at the invitation of Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The visit, announced on June 4, 2026, comes amid controversy sparked by Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah's remarks in parliament on May 31, where he stated that Kathmandu was in touch with China and the UK regarding a long-standing border dispute with India. New Delhi has categorically rejected any third-party role in resolving the boundary issue. During the visit, Khanal and Jaishankar will hold formal talks in New Delhi to discuss trade, investment, connectivity, energy, and people-to-people ties. This is the first high-level visit to India by a minister from PM Shah's government, which took office in March. Earlier in the week, Nepal's ruling party chairman Rabi Lamichhane met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who reaffirmed Nepal as a priority partner under India's Neighbourhood First policy.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.India Rejects Third-Party Role in Nepal Border Dispute, Hosts Ruling Party Chief
India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded on June 2, 2026, to Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah's recent parliamentary remarks that both India and Nepal have encroached on each other's territory and that the UK and China should intervene. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that bilateral mechanisms exist to handle boundary matters and that there is no role for third parties. He noted that 98% of the India-Nepal border is demarcated, with unresolved segments and cross-border encroachments being jointly mapped. The response coincided with a visit by Rabi Lamichhane, chairman of Nepal's ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), who met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and BJP representatives. Jaishankar emphasized development partnership and people-to-people ties. The dispute involves the Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani areas, which India considers part of Uttarakhand.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Nepal National Assembly Adjourned After PM Balen's Controversial Border Remarks
Nepal's National Assembly was adjourned on June 3, 2026, after opposition lawmakers protested Prime Minister Balendra Shah's (Balen) remarks on border issues with India. Shah stated that 'Not only India, but Nepal has also encroached territories of India at many places,' sparking controversy. He also suggested that India and Nepal agreed to seek help from historians and experts, and that Kathmandu raised the matter with China and the UK. India rejected any role for third parties in resolving the boundary row. The adjournment postponed Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle's budget presentation for fiscal year 2026-27. The opposition demanded Shah's apology and withdrawal of the statement from parliamentary records.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Nepal PM Balendra Shah says Nepal has encroached on Indian territory, sparking parliamentary uproar
Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah, in a parliamentary session on May 31, 2026, stated that Nepal has encroached upon Indian territory in several places, marking the first such admission by a Nepali head of government. The remark, made while discussing the disputed Kalapani region, triggered an uproar in Parliament. Lawmakers from the Nepali Congress and Nepal Communist Party demanded the Prime Minister clarify where exactly the encroachments occurred and sought the removal of his remarks from the official record. Critics, including Chief Whip Basana Thapa and lawmaker Ramesh Malla, called the statement serious, objectionable, and potentially damaging to national integrity. Shah, who took office on March 27, 2026, had previously faced criticism for avoiding Parliament. He also reiterated that the Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani disputes would be resolved through dialogue.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.India Rejects Third-Party Role in Border Dispute with Nepal
India has categorically rejected any role for third parties in resolving its long-standing border dispute with Nepal, following remarks by Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah who suggested involving China and the United Kingdom. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that both nations have established bilateral mechanisms to address all aspects of the boundary issue, emphasizing that close to 98% of the India-Nepal border has already been demarcated. The remaining disputes involve segments affected by the shifting course of the Gandak river, as well as cross-border occupation and encroachment in demarcated areas. The border dispute centers on the territories of Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani, which India maintains are part of Uttarakhand. Jaiswal's comments came in response to Shah's parliamentary statement acknowledging that Nepal has also encroached on Indian territory, sparking political debate in Nepal.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Nepal PM says India, Nepal ‘encroached’ each other’s territories, triggers row
Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah sparked controversy by stating in parliament that both Nepal and India may have encroached on each other's territories in the long-running border dispute over Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura. Shah said both countries agreed to resolve the issue through diplomatic dialogue with historians and surveyors. He also raised the matter with China and the UK. However, former Nepali diplomats and border experts rejected the claim that Nepal occupies Indian territory, noting that cross-border farming by citizens due to missing boundary pillars should not be seen as state encroachment. India has previously rejected Nepal's territorial claims as 'unilateral artificial enlargement.'
"site:indianexpress.com" - Google NewsNepal PM says India, Nepal ‘encroached’ each other’s territories, triggers row
Nepal's Prime Minister made a controversial statement claiming that both India and Nepal have encroached upon each other's territories, sparking a political row. The remarks, reported by The Indian Express, have heightened tensions between the two neighboring countries over longstanding border disputes. The statement is seen as a significant departure from previous diplomatic language and has drawn sharp reactions from political circles in both nations. The border issue, particularly concerning the Kalapani region, has been a source of friction between India and Nepal for decades. The incident underscores the fragile nature of bilateral relations and the potential for further escalation.
"site:indianexpress.com" - Google NewsNepal PM says Nepal has also encroached upon Indian territory; sparks uproar in Parliament
Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah sparked a political uproar on May 31, 2026, by stating in Parliament that Nepal has also encroached upon Indian territory in several places. This is believed to be the first such public admission by a Nepali head of government. The remark came while responding to a question about the disputed Kalapani region. Lawmakers from the Nepali Congress and Nepal Communist Party demanded the Prime Minister clarify where exactly the encroachments occurred and sought the removal of his remarks from the parliamentary record, arguing the statement could damage national integrity. Shah, who took office in March 2026, had previously faced criticism for avoiding Parliament. He stated that the Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani disputes would be resolved through dialogue.
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