Nepal Clarifies Border Dispute Stance: Seeks UK Papers, Not Third-Party Mediation

Nepal's government has clarified its position regarding the border dispute with India, stating a preference for obtaining relevant documents from the United Kingdom rather than seeking third-party mediation. Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal emphasized that Kathmandu seeks to resolve the issue based on historical records and agreements, specifically mentioning the need for documentation from the UK concerning the Kalapani-Lipulekh-Limpiyadhura region.

The clarification explicitly rejects the notion of international mediation or arbitration for the border issue. Nepal's stance underscores a desire for bilateral engagement with India on the matter, contingent on access to specific historical papers. This approach aims to frame the resolution within a historical and documentary context, sidestepping direct diplomatic intervention by external bodies.

While rejecting mediation, Nepal also expressed a desire for open dialogue with India, referring to the shared river systems as a metaphor for the countries' interconnectedness. The government seeks to approach the relationship with an 'open heart' but insists on addressing dormant ties and border discrepancies through documented evidence, prioritizing UK-held papers over external arbitration.