Nepal PM denies seeking Britain's mediation on India border dispute

Kathmandu,UPDATED: Jun 21, 2026 22:32 IST

Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Sunday said his government had not sought Britain’s mediation to resolve the border issue with India. He said Nepal had only stated that it would produce evidence from the time of British rule in India if needed.

His clarification came after controversy over his earlier remarks in Parliament and days after Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal told Parliament that a joint working group would address the issue of cross-border occupation between Nepal and India. New Delhi had rejected any role for third parties in resolving the matter.

Addressing the first general convention of the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party, Shah said, "We said that if evidence from the time of British rule (in India) is needed, we will bring it. We didn't ask for their mediation." He also told his opponents not to worry about his statements on the border issue.

"We will resolve the issue by holding talks with our neighbour; there is no need to worry about that," the prime minister said. He also asked people not to question his stand on the issue, saying, "Nobody should doubt his commitment to nationality. Nobody should doubt that."

Last month, Shah had told Parliament that Nepal had encroached on Indian territories at different places and that the Himalayan nation had involved China and the UK to resolve the issue, triggering a major controversy. Nepal’s Foreign Ministry later said his remarks were related to no-man’s land and cross-border occupation between the two countries.

Nepal and India have a long-running boundary dispute over Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani, with both sides claiming the areas. India has maintained that these territories are part of Uttarakhand and has said the issue should be addressed through bilateral dialogue. Shah said, "We have proof about Kalapani and Lipulekh belonging to our territory. If they (India) have proof, they can also show." The convention of the RSP began in Bharatpur Metropolitan City in Chitwan district on Sunday.

In essence, Shah said Nepal had not sought Britain’s mediation, insisted the border issue would be handled through talks with India, and repeated Nepal’s claim over the disputed areas while responding to the row over his earlier remarks.

With PTI Inputs

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