KATHMANDU: Amid discussions in Nepal that the original copy of the 1816 Sugauli Treaty has not been found, India has said the issue can be discussed through the existing bilateral mechanism.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the remarks during a regular press briefing on Tuesday. He also reiterated that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had invited Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah to visit India on the very day he assumed office.
Jaiswal was asked about Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal’s statement in Parliament on Tuesday that the original copy of the Sugauli Treaty had not been found.
In response, Jaiswal said relations between Nepal and India remain good, while acknowledging that the two countries may not agree on every issue.
“India-Nepal relations are very good. There may be certain issues where we do not agree. But there is a bilateral mechanism for such issues, and we can discuss them through that mechanism,” he said.
The Sugauli Treaty, signed in 1816 to end the Anglo-Nepal War, established important provisions concerning Nepal’s western and southern boundaries.
Based on the treaty and other historical evidence, Nepal issued a new political map in 2020 incorporating Limpiyadhura and other territories. India has disputed Nepal’s claim over the territory included in the map and has also begun trade through Lipulekh in coordination with China, which Nepal has objected to.
The issue of the original copy of the Sugauli Treaty was also raised during Monday’s meeting of the House of Representatives. Lawmakers questioned whether the original document of the treaty signed between Nepal and the British East India Company was preserved in Nepal or Britain. Foreign Minister Khanal had responded that the original copy could not be located.
Invitation for Prime Minister’s India Visit Remains
During the briefing, spokesperson Jaiswal reiterated that Prime Minister Balendra Shah has already been invited to visit India.
He said Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava met Prime Minister Shah on Monday and discussed various issues of bilateral interest and concern.
“Our ambassador met the Prime Minister there. During the meeting, various issues of bilateral interest and concern between the two countries were discussed,” Jaiswal said.
Asked about the possibility of Shah’s visit to India, Jaiswal said Modi had extended the invitation on March 13, the day Shah assumed office.
“As far as the visit to India is concerned, we have already invited him. Our Prime Minister invited him on the very day he assumed office,” he said.
Jaiswal said the date of Shah’s visit would be decided at a mutually convenient time.
India has thus avoided giving a direct response on the whereabouts of the original copy of the Sugauli Treaty, instead pointing to the bilateral mechanism as a platform for discussion. At the same time, it has reiterated that its invitation for Prime Minister Shah’s India visit remains open.
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