KATHMANDU: Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal has said the government is pursuing a diplomatic solution to Nepal’s longstanding border disputes with India and has already arranged a meeting of the Border Working Committee as part of the process.
Responding to lawmakers’ queries during discussions on his ministry’s budget in the National Assembly of Nepal on Tuesday, Khanal said there is no doubt that border disputes exist between Nepal and India as neighboring countries, and that the government is committed to resolving them through diplomatic dialogue.
He reiterated Nepal’s position that the areas of Kalapani, Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Susta belong to Nepal based on historical documents, facts and evidence. He said the government seeks to settle the boundary issues through diplomatic negotiations founded on those historical records.
Khanal said existing bilateral border mechanisms are continuing their work along the frontier and noted that a meeting of the Border Working Committee has already been scheduled for next month as part of efforts to advance the resolution process.
The foreign minister also informed the National Assembly that the Department of Passports is preparing to begin issuing passports printed by a new contractor starting next Monday.
However, he said it would not be appropriate to comment further on the passport printing process because the matter is currently under judicial consideration.
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