PM Shah’s border encroachment remarks draw widespread criticism in Nepal

Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s statement in Parliament claiming that “Nepal has also encroached on India’s border” has sparked widespread criticism.

During a parliamentary session on Sunday, while responding to questions raised by lawmakers regarding border disputes, Prime Minister Shah stated that not only has India encroached on Nepal’s territory, but Nepal has also encroached on India’s land. Following the public release of his statement, various prominent figures from different sectors have expressed their objections.

Dwarikanath Dhungel, a former secretary and border expert, mentioned that the issue of Nepal encroaching on India’s border has never been raised before. Speaking to Desh Sanchar, Dhungel said, “This is the first time I’ve heard about this matter.” He noted that 98 percent of the border disputes between Nepal and India have been resolved, and there is no such issue from the Nepali side. Dhungel insisted that the Prime Minister should clarify his statement.

“On what basis did the Prime Minister say that Nepal has encroached on India’s border?” he questioned. “Where did he get this information officially? We need to ask him for an explanation. What is the basis of his information?”

Similarly, constitutional expert Bhimarjun Acharya also described the Prime Minister’s statement as extremely unusual. He expressed concern that the Prime Minister’s words could legitimize the encroachment of Nepali land.

“The Prime Minister’s statement in the House that Nepal has also encroached on India’s border is extremely unusual and serious. Inviting the presence of a third country between two nations is even more concerning. There is no record of any Prime Minister making such a statement in or outside Parliament until now,” Acharya continued, “Such a statement is never expected. The biggest impact is that it somehow benefits and legitimizes the ongoing encroachment of Nepali land.”

He further raised questions about the government’s intention to protect Nepal’s territorial integrity. “The Prime Minister’s remark that border encroachment is mutual between the two countries suggests that this government either does not want or is unable to protect Nepal’s territorial integrity. It seems the entire nation and its citizens need to be more vigilant,” he stated.

Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Chairman Rajendra Lingden also found the Prime Minister’s statement objectionable. Lingden remarked that it was inappropriate for the Prime Minister to make unverified claims from the parliamentary podium.

“While the issue of Indian encroachment on Nepali land is not new, the Prime Minister’s unverified statement from the rostrum that Nepal has encroached on India’s land is completely inappropriate,” Lingden said via social media. “RPP demands that the Prime Minister and the government clarify the truth on this matter.”

RPP has also called on the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party to respond to the Prime Minister’s statement. “The ruling party’s stance on this matter must be made public,” he added.

UML leader and foreign affairs expert Bishnu Rijal also claimed that the Prime Minister’s statement was baseless and anti-national. He expressed surprise at the Prime Minister’s remarks.

Rijal questioned, “How could the Prime Minister stand at the parliamentary rostrum and openly make a baseless, anti-national statement that ‘Nepal has also encroached on India’s land,’ a claim India itself has never made? What compulsion led to such an unforgivable betrayal that even an apology cannot suffice?”

Rijal commented that a Prime Minister standing against sovereignty has no right to remain in office. “Is Balendra Shah, who hangs a map of Greater Nepal on the wall yet rejects the verified map, the same person standing against the country’s sovereignty?” Rijal further stated, “Such irresponsible individuals have no right to remain in office even for a minute. Rastriya Swatantra Party should immediately consider this. Remember, the mandate received in the election is not a license for treason.”

Opposition parties in Parliament have also raised their voices against the Prime Minister’s statement. Congress MP Basana Thapa and UML’s Padma Aryal, among others, have stated that the Prime Minister must answer for his controversial remarks.