Nepali Congress MP Sunil Bahadur Thapa Criticizes PM Balendra Shah's Border Remarks

Kathmandu. Nepali Congress MP Sunil Bahadur Thapa has called the Prime Minister Balendra Shah's statement in the House of Representatives regarding the Nepal-India border extremely serious, unfortunate, and irresponsible. Speaking in the National Assembly meeting on Wednesday, he accused the statement, implying that Nepal has encroached on Indian territory, of tarnishing Nepal's image internationally. MP Thapa warned that the Prime Minister's statement would seriously affect Nepal's diplomacy with other countries. He emphasized that the statements of the head of government on issues related to Nepal's sovereignty, national interest, and sensitive relations with neighboring countries must be fact-based, clear, and responsible. He urged the Prime Minister to immediately present concrete evidence to the parliament and the public to confirm his statement, and if not, to apologize to the nation. He stated that no one has the right to create confusion on issues related to national interest. Speaking in the meeting, MP Thapa said, 'Statements related to Nepal's sovereignty, national interest, and sensitive issues with neighboring countries must be extremely responsible, clear, and based on reality. If the Prime Minister has concrete evidence to confirm his statement, that evidence should be presented to the parliament and the Nepali people. If there is no such evidence, he should apologize to the nation. No one has the right to create confusion on issues related to national interest. What is even more concerning is that an attempt seems to have been made to involve the role or opinion of a third country in the border and geopolitical issues between Nepal and India. Issues related to Nepal's border, sovereignty, and national interest should be resolved through dialogue between Nepal and India and established diplomatic mechanisms. Involving a third party unnecessarily in such sensitive issues is not in Nepal's interest.' Prime Minister Shah had stated that discussions were also being held with England (UK) regarding the Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura border disputes. MP Thapa mentioned that the attempt to involve a third country's role or opinion in Nepal-India border and geopolitical issues is worrying. He asserted that issues related to Nepal's border, sovereignty, and national interest should be resolved through bilateral dialogue between Nepal and India and established diplomatic mechanisms. He clarified that unnecessarily involving a third party in such sensitive issues could create mistrust and tension in Nepal-India relations, and Nepal would gain no benefit from diplomatic confrontation. MP Thapa commented that the clarification given by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after the Prime Minister's statement has raised more questions. The ministry had clarified that the Prime Minister's statement was related to the 'cross-holding' in the Susta area and the complex border situation. Speaking on this matter, Thapa clarified that 'cross-border occupation' or 'cross-holding' cannot be termed as one country encroaching on another's land. He mentioned that the parliament has been obstructed due to the Prime Minister's irresponsible statement and urged the Prime Minister to play a responsible role in resuming the parliamentary proceedings.