Kathmandu: Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has emphasized that a resolution to the border and other issues between Nepal and India will be achieved through discussions and diplomatic channels. Speaking to media personnel at Tribhuvan International Airport upon returning from a three-day official visit to India, he highlighted the role of the diplomatic mechanism established by the two nations in addressing these concerns.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Foreign Minister Khanal addressed inquiries regarding the disputed territories of Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani, reaffirming Nepal’s historical claim to these areas. He stated that this has been officially communicated to both India and China via diplomatic notes. Khanal expressed the Nepalese government’s stance that there is no requirement for third-party mediation in resolving the border issue with India, asserting that a solution should be reached through dialogue grounded in factual and historical evidence.
In response to questions about the Nepal-India Eminent Persons Group (EPG) report, Khanal clarified that the document was prepared by a group sanctioned by the Prime Ministers of Nepal and India, and it is intended to be submitted exclusively to them.
During his visit to New Delhi, initiated at the invitation of Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, Foreign Minister Khanal engaged in delegation-level talks with his Indian counterpart. The discussions on Saturday encompassed topics such as development cooperation, connectivity enhancement, trade and transit, energy, and strengthening people-to-people ties. The two sides also exchanged views on regional and multilateral issues of shared interest.
Minister Khanal further elaborated that the bilateral talks included reviews of ongoing cooperative efforts and explored avenues for increased collaboration in innovation, startups, digital and financial technology, and capacity building. An agreement was reached to bolster the multifaceted partnership between Nepal and India and to intensify efforts to elevate it to new heights.
Additionally, Minister Khanal announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Digital India Bhasini and Kathmandu University to jointly develop national digital infrastructure for the ‘Voice First’ language translation platform.