• UGI USER
  • Jul 27, 2023
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Q. Discuss the border issue between India and Nepal in view of the observation that it is both a testimony to the special relationship and a source of recurring frictions.

Approach: 

  • Briefly mention the context of the current border dispute between India and Nepal.
  • Highlight how the border between both countries testifies to special relations between both
  • Also mention how border issues are a source of conflict between the countries.
  • Conclude accordingly.

Answer: 

India and Nepal share a long and open border extending more than 1850 K.M. On the one hand the border is symbolic of the special relations of these two countries, on the other hand the process  of boundary demarcation remains a continuing process which is also subject to resolution of  territorial disputes. This can be further observed in the following:

  • Open Border: Indo-Nepal border is an open international border where nationals of both countries do not need passports or visas to enter each other’s countries. This has fostered better  social and trade connectivity between the two countries.
  • Economic ties: The open border has provided a range of economic opportunities (education, health, labour) to landlocked Nepal. Much of Nepal’s transit trade is through India.
  • Border Security: District officials of both the countries meet regularly to discuss security challenges and other issues. The meetings are attended by District Magistrates, local SSB  representatives, customs officers of both the countries.
  • Social ties: There has been a long tradition of free movement of people across the borders. It has helped develop deep-rooted people-to-people contacts of kinship and culture.

Historically, the 1816 treaty of Sagauli is the basis of demarcation of borders between the two sides.

The border between India and Nepal is also subject of dispute in some areas prominent among  them are-

  • Kalapani: this is a trijunction area where there is a difference in claims of where the border lies. The source of Mahakali River is the key issue here which has lead to the difference in  approaches of the two country
  • Susta: The area is in Bihar and the dispute arose due to the changing course of the Gandak.

The Nepal-India Joint Border Inspection Mechanism of 1981 and the Nepal-India Joint Border  Management Committee, formed in 1997 attempted to create a framework. Strip maps pertaining  to 98% of the boundary have been agreed to and initialed in 2007. The matter regarding formal  signing of boundary strip maps is being pursued with the Government of Nepal. The difficulty pertains  to:

  • Unavailability of old maps and documents for demarcation.
  • Domestic political compulsions wherein both sides have used the domestic political situation to their advantage. The blockade allegedly imposed by India in 2015 caused distrust between  the two neighbors.
  • Nepal being a part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) of China has added to the complexity in the diplomatic relations between the two countries.
  • The Nepal Government officially released a new map in 2020 laying claims to the Kalapani Limpiadora-Lipulekh area. This claim has raised some difficulties recently.

In this context, it must be remembered that India and Nepal bilateral relationship is unique and is  sustained by a tradition of regular high-level political exchanges and regular meetings of bilateral  mechanisms in diverse sectors between the two countries. The border issue can be resolved and  managed through these efforts.