Nepal has not sought third-party mediation on border dispute with India: Foreign Minister Khanal
Summary
Nepal's Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal clarified that Nepal seeks to resolve its border dispute with India through bilateral dialogue, denying any third-party mediation requests amid renewed tensions over the Kalapani and Lipulekh areas.
Key Points
- Nepal has not sought any third-party mediation for its border dispute with India, reaffirming its commitment to resolve issues through bilateral dialogue.
- Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar agreed to reactivate bilateral mechanisms to address border issues and hold regular meetings.
- The Survey Officials’ Committee and the Boundary Working Group are scheduled to meet soon to advance technical work on the Nepal-India border, excluding disputed Kalapani and Susta areas.
- Discussions during Khanal's visit covered trade, connectivity, energy cooperation, and proposed Janakpur-Ayodhya rail link, signaling a push for stronger bilateral ties.
