Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah sparked controversy by asserting during a parliamentary session that his country has encroached upon Indian territory, marking the first public statement by a Nepali head of government on the issue. The remarks, made on May 31, 2026, drew immediate backlash from lawmakers, who demanded clarification and the removal of the statement from official records. Shah’s comments came in response to a parliamentary question about the Kalapani region, a long-standing border dispute between Nepal and India. He stated, “I learned only recently—after becoming Prime Minister—that it’s not just India but Nepal too has encroached upon Indian territories in many places,” a claim that ignited outrage. Lawmakers from the Nepali Congress and Nepal Communist Party accused him of making an unsubstantiated and damaging statement. Basana Thapa, Nepali Congress Chief Whip, demanded that Shah specify the exact locations of the alleged encroachment, calling the remark “serious and objectionable.” Ramesh Malla of the Nepal Communist Party warned that the remarks could harm national integrity, questioning how a head of government could publicly assert territorial encroachment. The controversy unfolded against a backdrop of unresolved border disputes. The Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura regions have been points of contention for decades, with India asserting sovereignty over them. Nepal’s claim to these areas gained prominence in 2020 when Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli’s government amended the constitution to include them in Nepal’s official map, a move that followed India’s 2019 publication of a political map designating the regions as Indian territory.#lipulekh_pass #nepal_prime_minister_balendra_shah #nepali_congress #nepal_communist_party #kalapani_region
Kailash Mansarovar Pilgrimage Dispute: India Rejects Nepal's Claims, Emphasizes Diplomatic Resolution India has firmly rejected Nepal's recent claims over the Lipulekh Pass, asserting that the dispute over the strategic mountain pass must be resolved through dialogue and diplomatic engagement. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs clarified that Nepal's unilateral expansionist assertions lack historical or evidentiary support, and such demands cannot be entertained. This comes amid heightened tensions between the two nations over the long-standing border issue, which has been a point of contention for decades. The Lipulekh Pass, a critical route for the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, has been a subject of dispute between India and Nepal. Nepal has consistently argued that the pass falls under its jurisdiction, citing historical claims. However, India maintains that the pass has been a traditional and continuous route for pilgrims since 1954, with thousands of devotees traveling through it annually. The Indian government reiterated its stance that any unilateral changes to the border by Nepal are invalid and that the matter must be addressed through bilateral negotiations. In a separate development, China has announced its approval for 1,000 Indian pilgrims to undertake the 2026 Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage. The decision, made public by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, highlights the importance of strengthening diplomatic ties between India and China while promoting religious harmony. The pilgrimage, scheduled for June and August 2026, will be organized in 10 batches, with pilgrims traveling through the Lipulekh Pass and the Nathu La Pass in Sikkim. This arrangement is seen as a significant step toward fostering mutual trust and cooperation between the two nations.#nepal #india #china #lipulekh_pass #kailash_mansarovar_pilgrimage
