Related Topics

Indo Pacific region
2022 OCT   26
Ukraine-Russia conflict
2022 FEB   24
Mission SAGAR -II
2020 NOV   4
Currency Swap agreement
2020 JUL   25
Addu atoll
2020 FEB   10

India Nepal border issue

2020 MAY 18

Mains   > International relations   >   India and Neighbours   >   Diplomacy

WHY IN NEWS?

Nepal unveiled a new map of its territories about which India has registered its strong reservations against the unilateral move as it included some of Indian territories.

ABOUT THE ISSUE

  • The bone of contention is the Kalapani-Limpiadhura-Lipulekh trijunction between Nepal-India and China (Tibet).
  • It is located on the banks of the river Kali at an altitude of 3600m, the Kalapani territory lies at the eastern border of Uttarakhand in India and Nepal’s Sudurpashchim Pradesh in the West.
  • India claims the area is part of Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district, while Nepal believes it to be part of its Dharchula district.
  • The issue heightened when India opened an 80-km road linking Uttarakhand with Lipulekh, across the disputed piece of land.
  • The 80 km road goes right up to the Lipu Lekh pass on the LAC (Line of Actual Control) through which Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims exit India into China to reach the mountain and lake revered as the abode of Siva.

HISTORY OF TERRITORIES

  •  
  • The issue in itself goes back to the early 19th century, when the British ruled India and Nepal was a conglomeration of small kingdoms under the reign of King Prithvi Narayan Shah.
  • Shah is believed to be the most ambitious ruler among the Gorkhas under whose rule in the late 18th century Nepal was unified. The domains stretched out as far as Sikkim in the East and the Garhwal and Kumaon region of Uttarakhand in the West.
  • In 1815, during the British – Nepal war the British general Sir David Ochterlony managed to evict the Nepalese from Garhwal and Kumaon.
  • A year later, the war came to an end with the signing of the Sugauli treaty.

TREATY OF SUGAULI

  •  
  • The treaty delimited the boundaries of Nepal as it stands today.
  • It required Nepal to give up all territories west and east of its present-day borders, to surrender the entire Tarai and to accept a permanent British representative (or resident) in Kathmandu.
  • The Rajah of Nepal renounces for himself, his heirs, and successors all claim to or connection with the countries lying to the west of the river Kali and engages never to have any concern with those countries or inhabitants thereof.
  • Consequently, the river Kali marked the western border of Nepal.

WHAT IS THE REASON BEHIND THE ISSUE?

  • There is no clear consensus on what is the precise location of the river Kali, giving rise to the dispute over whether the land consisting Kalapani-Limpiadhura-Lipulekh is part of present day India or Nepal.
  • Lack of consensus may due to the shift in the course of the river over time and some argue that the British cartographers in the consequent years kept shifting the line demarcating the river eastwards for strategic reasons.
  • India’s new road from Pithoragarh to Lipulekh as part of the Mansarovar Yatra route angered the Oli government, which came out with a new map adding to it Kalapani-Limpiadhura-Lipulekh trijunction between Nepal-India and China (Tibet).

ARE THE CLAIMS OF NEPAL ACCEPTABLE?

  • The dispute over the location of the river, and consequently that of the territoriality of Kalapani was first raised by the Nepalese government only in 1998.
  • From 1961 to 1997, there was no concerns raised from the Nepal side. Analysts suggest that the later claims by Nepal had much to do with domestic politics of Nepal than more to do with border issue.
  • British India conducted the first regular surveys of the upper reaches of the river Kali in the 1870s. Accordingly, a vintage map of the 1879 shows Kalapani as part of India.
  • The Indian government has held that the 1879 map is what should be considered in deciding the borders between the two countries rather than the maps before the period which are held up by Nepal.

WHAT SHOULD BE INDIA’S STAND?

  • New Delhi has reiterated that it is open to engaging with all its neighbours on the basis of mutual sensitivity and mutual respect, in an environment of trust and confidence. And invoked the deep-rooted historic and cultural ties with Nepal.
  • Nepal has delayed its plan to bring in a constitutional amendment to revise the nation’s map as of now. And the fact is that the present government does not have the majority required to pass a Constitutional Amendment Bill for incorporation of the new Map and claims.
  • The delay in Nepal’s constitutional amendment provides an opportunity for talks, of which New Delhi should ideally use them.
  • Nepal has been slowly drifting towards China following the new Communist Government at Kathmandu.
  • The response of Nepal with a new Map may be to satisfy its domestic crowd which questions India’s alleged ‘illegal’ construction of road through the disputed territory.
  • The issue should not be allowed to grow further and be solved amicably through talks.

CONCLUSION

  • Even in the challenging times of Covid-19 pandemic, India has ensured unimpeded trade and supply of essentials, including medicines to Nepal, besides providing assistance in terms of medical supplies and other facilitation.
  • India should continue to follow its policy on ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’ which focuses on creating mutually beneficial, people-oriented, regional frameworks for stability and prosperity.

Practice Question

Q. India’s new road from Pithoragarh to Lipulekh as part of the Mansarovar Yatra route has triggered an issue of border contension between India and Nepal. Analyse the border dispute with respect to Kalapani-Limpiadhura-Lipulekh trijunction. What should be New Delhi's stand with respect to the border issue?

Tags