KATHMANDU, Aug 28: Renowned border expert Buddhi Narayan Shrestha has called for the establishment of tri-junction points between Nepal, India and China to resolve Nepal’s longstanding border disputes, particularly in the Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura regions. He urged the government to intensify diplomatic efforts with India and China and proposed forming a high-level committee to lead these initiatives.
Shrestha suggested that one tri-junction point be established in the east, where Taplejung in Nepal, Sikkim in India, and Tibet in China converge. Another should be set up in the west at Limpiyadhura, where Darchula in Nepal, Uttarakhand in India, and Tibet in China meet. He asserted that establishing these points would provide a clear framework to resolve disputes over Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura.
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Buddhi Narayan Shrestha
“Nepal possesses historical maps and documents identifying the river flowing from Limpiyadhura as the Kali River. If the border is defined based on this river, Lipulekh and Kalapani fall within Nepalese territory,” Shrestha said. “However, India has created a dispute by considering a smaller river east of Limpiyadhura as the Kali River.”
He also criticized an agreement signed by India and China to resume border trade through Lipulekh without Nepal’s involvement, stating that it raises serious concerns about Nepal’s sovereignty. “Lipulekh is Nepal’s sovereign territory, but India has long encroached upon it. Nepal must pursue diplomatic measures to reclaim its land,” he added.
Shrestha recommended that Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli raise the issue during his upcoming visit to China. “The Prime Minister should address this in sideline meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, presenting Nepal’s stance on national sovereignty and territorial integrity firmly,” he emphasized.
He further argued that a high-level committee involving Nepal, India, and China should be formed to establish the tri-junction points, ensuring a long-term resolution to the border dispute. “When Nepal and China signed the 1961 border agreement, India was supposed to participate, but the India-China border war prevented it. Now, all three countries must collaborate to resolve the issue,” Shrestha said.
Shrestha noted that while the 1961 agreement resolved most disputes, Boundary Pillar No. 57 near Korlangpari in Lapchi village, Dolakha, was not installed correctly—only a marker was placed on a rock—allowing China to encroach on six hectares of Nepalese land.
He also cited the Mount Everest ownership dispute as an example where initial claims by China were resolved through diplomatic efforts between the then-prime ministers of both countries, suggesting that a similar approach could be applied to Lipulekh and Kalapani.
“Nepal must adopt diplomatic and peaceful measures to safeguard its territory. Establishing tri-junction points would facilitate resolving the border dispute,” Shrestha concluded. “The Prime Minister must prioritize this issue.” He expressed confidence that implementing this proposal would mark a significant step forward in resolving Nepal’s border disputes.
