India – Nepal Border Dispute issue Historically, India has not had as close relationship with any other country as it has been with Nepal. Indians and Nepalis not only cross each other’s borders but also live in each other’s country without a visa. But for some time these relationship have started to deteriorate. Recently, PM of Nepal alleged India, for the spread of Coronavirus in Nepal, he said that India is responsible for the spread of Coronavirus in Nepal. After that Border dispute started within both the countries. Why is it starts? Who is right India or Nepal? Let’s see in this article. Border Dispute The controversy starts when Nepal released its country’s new map and included an area in its map that previous maps not included. That area is in India’s control. The area is – North-West tip of Nepal, which is the eastern most tip of Uttarakhand. Area of Susta (west champaran district of Bihar) What is in this area? This is around 300 sq. km. an area whose Northernmost village -Limpiyadhura, Southeastern part – Lipulekh, Southwest – Gunji, south of Gunji – Kalapani. So, this area is divided on the basis of these three area – Limpiadhura, Lipulekh, & Kalapani. Another area which Nepal is claiming is Susta region of bihar. Nepal claims that this area rightfully belongs to Nepal & India claims that it is part of India. Kalapani Region – Kalapani is a valley that is administered by India as a part of the Pithoragarh district of the Uttarakhand. It is situated on the Kailash Mansarovar Route. Kalapani has advantageously located at a height of over 20,000 ft. and serves as an observation. The kali river in the Kala Pani region demarcates the border between India & Nepal The Kalapani derives its name from River Kali. Nepal claims the region is based on the river as it became a marker of the boundary of the kingdom of Nepal following the Treaty of Sugauli signed between the Gurkha rule Kathmandu & east India company after Gurkha/Anglo Nepal war (1814-16). Susta Region – it is in west champaran district, Bihar the change of course by Gandhak River is the main reason for disputes in the Susta area. Located on the bank of gandhak river. called Narayani river. Joins Ganga near Patna, Bihar. When did this begin ? This starts in November 2019 when India announced its new map after the Revocation of the Article 370. Newly formed Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Laddakh, this map shows Kalapani in the Indian region, For this Nepal Government opposes India. The second event, On 8 May 2020, when Indian defense minister inaugurated motorable link road, a road of about 80 km which runs along the Indo-Nepal Border & passes through this disputed area to reach the Lipulekh (that Nepal claim it own territory) The purpose of this road was to stated that this will help people going to Kailash Mansarovar. Because, above this disputed area, Tibet is Located, which is the territory of China. Before this road, people have to travel through Sikkim, which is a 5-day trek. After the construction of this road, the vehicles will reach the border of China & after that only 2- day of the trek. After this inauguration, the government of Nepal was very angry and said that the Lipulekh comes in Nepal. They also believe that if India wanted to make a road, it should have talked about it. India’s Ministry of External Affairs’ response to this is that this area is completely within territory of India that’s why we didn’t talk about it. The condition started worsening when Nepal started protesting against it. On May 2020 – Army chief said, there’s China hand in this protest. Nepal & people became enraged after that Nepal released their map, on which this dispute started. Nepal has released a new political map that claims Kalapani, Limpiyadhura & Lipulekh of Uttarakhand as apart of Nepal’s territory. The area of Susta (west Champaran dist, Bihar) can also be noted in the new map. India has urged the Government of Nepal to refrain from such unjustified cartographic assertion & respect India’s sovereignty & territory integrity. India has also asked Nepal to return to dialogue. Why is Lipulekh Pass Important ? >The origin juts into the Himalayas & is connected to the other side of the mountain range through the Lipulekh pass, which has been used for centuries Hindus & Buddhist pilgrims & tourists on their way to Kailash Mansarovar. >The nearby markets have been used by various mountain communities. >The Himalayas have several passes that connect the Gangetic region with Tibetan plateau but Lipulekh it strategically located as it is nearest to the Heart of Indian state or the National Capital region and can be a particular concern in case of an armed conflict with china Nepal’s Claim – India’s Claim – Efforts to Solve Dispute In 1980, Both sides set up the joint Technical level boundary working group to portray the boundary. the group demarcated everything except Kalapani and Susta region. Officially, Nepal brought the issue of Kalapani before India in 1998, Both sides agreed to demarcate the outstanding areas (including Kalapani) by 2022 at the prime ministerial level talk held in 2000. But not happened yet. Issues Involved: Nepal’s deliberate efforts to make Lipulekh Pass a disputed tri-junction (between India-china & Nepal) in which Nepal has an equal share. India perceives Nepal to be tilting towards china under the leadership of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and his Nepal communist party. Despite the open border between both countries & the people to people contact, the levels of dispute in Nepal about India have only increased. Way Forward: The importance of ties with Nepal often romanticized as one of “Roti-Beti” (Food & Marriage), India must not delay dealing with the matter, which it already has faceoff with China in Laddakh & Sikkim. A stable & friendly relationship with Nepal is a necessary condition that India cannot ignore because terrorists often use Nepal to enter India. Reference: TH https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/for-a-reset-in-india-nep al-relations/article31697691.ece Also read: Never let a crisis go waste https://upsckeeda.in/never-let-a-crisis-go-waste/.