India and Nepal engage in talks over Lipulekh border dispute

Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal is scheduled to visit India from June 5‑7 for high‑level talks on trade, investment, connectivity and energy, but the bilateral agenda does not include the longstanding border dispute over Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani. The visit follows recent diplomatic exchanges, including remarks by Nepal’s Prime Minister Balen Shah urging the involvement of the United Kingdom and China.

India’s External Affairs Ministry responded, saying that 98 % of the India‑Nepal boundary is already demarcated and that “there is no role for any third parties in a bilateral matter between India and Nepal,” according to spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. The ministry emphasized existing bilateral mechanisms for mapping remaining cross‑border encroachments and rejected Nepal’s suggestion of external mediation.

Both sides continue to use existing channels, such as the Joint Commission, to manage the dispute, while emphasizing broader cooperation on infrastructure and people‑to‑people ties.