Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Minister for Foreign Affairs Shishir Khanal has clarified that Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s statement in Parliament that “not only India, but Nepal has also encroached upon Indian territory” was primarily related to encroachments in the Dasgaja (no-man’s land) area and instances of cross-border land use.
Addressing the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Khanal said the prime minister’s remarks were intended to highlight practical issues seen along the border, including cross-border settlement and farming activities.
Opposition parties had been obstructing Parliament since Prime Minister Shah made the statement on May 31. They had been demanding that the Prime Minister apologize and withdraw his statement. The House meeting resumed on Wednesday after ruling and opposition parties reached an agreement that the foreign minister would respond on behalf of the prime minister.
Clarifying the prime minister’s remarks, Khanal said the Nepal-India border had been demarcated based on the principle of a fixed boundary. “In some locations, people of one country are cultivating land or residing in areas that fall within the territory of the other country,” Khanal said. “Border mechanisms and technical teams from both countries are actively engaged in constructing and repairing boundary pillars in already-mapped areas, identifying encroachments in the Dasgaja zone, and documenting cases of cross-border occupation to manage the long open border between the two countries in a systematic and scientific manner.”
According to Khanal, technical teams are currently conducting studies and investigations into issues related to border encroachment, cross-border land use and occupation of territory.
The foreign minister also said Nepal has not sought the involvement of any third party in resolving border disputes with India.
