The historical diplomatic ties between India and Nepal were cemented on 17 June 1947 in the presence of high-level officials from both the countries with the commitment to peaceful co-existence and sovereign equality and understanding of each other’s aspirations. 
However, there has been a sudden jolt to the bonhomie when India’s Ministry of Defence virtually inaugurated the 80 km long road in Himalayas at the Lipulekh pass at Dharchula, Uttarakhand. This was countered by Nepal’s Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli government claiming that road passes through Nepalese Territory and accused India of changing status quo without diplomatic consultations. They responded by making constitutional amendment in the administrative and political map of the country showing Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani are part of Nepal. India protested the move made by Nepal. This new road is the shortest route from New Delhi to Tibetan Plateau, and it is an important trade route, apart from assisting thousands of pilgrims to visit the holy place of Kailash Mansarovar. Therefore, no doubt, it is in the interests of both the countries.
In the above backdrop, a panel discussion was held to explore the ways towards potential resolution of the issues given the importance of the long history of friendly relations between the two countries, especially in people-to-people ties. The discussion was organised by the Centre for International Relations and Strategic Studies (CIRSS), Impact and Policy Research Institute (IMPRI), New Delhi, and International Development Institute (IDI), Washington, DC. The current dispute over the Lipulekh-Limpiyadhura and Kalapani area road construction of 80 km was a main topic to discuss.
Dr Minendra P. Rijal, Member of Parliament, Republic of Nepal, shared that 97 per cent of the disputes with India have been resolved successfully and in satisfaction. However, there are still some differences that remain. He opined that India and Nepal are having very friendly relations. Both sides will have to sit and resolve the issues in diplomatic way once corona fades away.
He also said that both nations have to talk and educate their citizens about the relations between the countries and need to clarify with the media about the issue.
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Dr Rijal said Nepal is ready to sit and resolve the dispute as soon as possible. He stated that this issue willnot lead to a situation wherein India would blockade bulk commodities’ exports to Nepal, and should that happen, it would be a huge disappointment. He requested to Indian media and people to respect Honourable Prime Minister Mr KP Sharma Oli.
Ajay Pradhan, Senior Policy Advisor – Treaty Negotiations on Comprehensive Land Claims, Government of Canada, took part in the webinar as an individual of Nepal and not on behalf of Canada Government. He said both countries have very strong cultural, religious linguistic relation with each other. He noted that political leaders of each country extended moral support to political issues and in Independence movement of India. Pradhan wanted to look at this issue as opportunity to sit and tie relations with other. He said first step to resolve is to honestly acknowledge and accept that it is a dispute. Secondly, present evidences and start negation process. He stated that Nepal should respect the concerns of India behind road construction, which are strategic security, religious and cultural pilgrims to Kailash Mansarovar, and trade and transit to China and Tibet through Lipulekh Pass.
Pradhan claimed that Nepal was never consulted by India for names of rivers from Limpiyadhura to Lipulekh. He also stated Kali River is not an issue, but which river is Kali is the main concern for both states. Pradhan also reminded the Treaty of Sugauli.
Ambassador Rakesh Sood, Former Ambassador of India to Nepal, shared the norms of Treaty of Sugauli. He observed that none of the maps of India or Nepal covered the disputed land that is a concern now. He also discussed the Kalapani issue and said it was different from this as this issue is more formed due to Constitution Amendments of Nepal and the other was due to diplomatic threads of Britishers and East India Company. Ambassador Rakesh Sood pointed out that at no point in time over the last 10 years of construction of the road did Nepal raise a concern, and it was only after the inauguration on 8 May 2020 that it expressed its views.
He claimed that now official level of talks is pointless and only at the political level can one expects a resolution of the issue.
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He also provided evidences dated back to 5 September 1817 about the disputed territory as part of India. He explicitly mentioned that a worsening of this border dispute would be a lasting legacy of the Oli government in creating unsurmountable problems for India–Nepal relations.
Major General (Dr) P.K. Chakravorty, VSM (Retd), Strategic Thinker on Security Issuesstated that dealing with border disputes is not new for India, and India has resolved the issues with Bangladesh and Myanmar very successfully. He quoted that it is a relation of blood between two countries and we had best of time and relations with Nepal. He noted that we require political guidance. He assured that India is not a big brother, but we are equals and we respect all of citizens of Nepal. Further, Major Chakravorty stated that some issues need to be resolved by international norms. He eagerly asked for people to people contact in both countries. He also shared that as a secular nation, exchange is required in terms of culture, religion and youth.
Dr Simi Mehta, CEO and Editorial Director, IMPRI, New Delhi, and Dr Arjun Kumar, Director, IMPRI, also attended the webinar moderated by Dr Ambika P. Adhikari, Principal Planner, City of Tempe, Arizona, USA.
