KATHMANDU: Government spokesperson and Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel has defended Prime Minister Balendra Shah over his recent remarks made in the House of Representatives, saying the comments were taken out of context.
Speaking after Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, Minister Pokharel said the Prime Minister’s statement expressing surprise over reports of Nepal allegedly encroaching on Indian territory was being misinterpreted.
“He said he was surprised after hearing from Delhi that Nepal had occupied Indian territory,” Pokharel said, adding that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had already issued an official clarification on the matter.
He further said that existing mechanisms between Nepal and India are already working to resolve longstanding boundary disputes.
“There are established committees working on border issues. The Prime Minister has also spoken about this,” he said. “Both Nepal and India have exchanged diplomatic notes regarding boundary concerns.”
Pokharel also referred to cross-border land use issues, stating that areas currently used by one country could legally fall within the other’s territory, indicating the complexity of unresolved boundary demarcation.
However, he did not specify which areas were referenced in India’s communications regarding alleged border encroachment.
“The Prime Minister was simply expressing surprise at such reports. He is accountable to Parliament and will address it when necessary,” Pokharel said, adding that border issues should be resolved through diplomatic dialogue rather than dispute.
He stressed that Nepal’s Foreign Ministry is actively handling the matter through diplomatic channels, and that there is no disagreement within the government regarding resolving the issue through talks.
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