*Update*: India rejects third-party role in border dispute with Nepal

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs made clear on Tuesday that it will not accept any role for third parties in the border dispute with Nepal. Al Jazeera reports that New Delhi responded to statements by Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who raised the territorial conflict over the Lipulekh Pass during a visit to the United Kingdom. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs emphasised that bilateral mechanisms were the only basis for resolving border issues – a clear signal to Kathmandu not to bring external mediators into play.

New Delhi's response was particularly sharp because Prime Minister Shah reportedly mentioned China as a possible dialogue partner in London, according to The Hindu – a thread that directly touches India's strategic sensitivities in the region. India views the Himalayan corridor around Lipulekh as strategically sensitive, since Nepal published a new map in 2020 that designates the area as Nepalese territory.

Party relations despite tensions

Meanwhile, a delegation from the Nepalese Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) led by Ravi Lamichhane arrived at BJP headquarters in New Delhi, as reported by the Kathmandu Post. The visit is seen as an attempt to nurture party relations between Kathmandu and New Delhi – precisely at a moment when diplomatic tensions are increasing at government level.

Times of India sheds light on the background of the renewed flare-up: statements by Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, who publicly acknowledged that Nepal may have occupied Indian territory, have brought a roughly 200-year-old border question back to the fore. The statements caused domestic upheaval and gave India reason to reaffirm its own position.

The dispute essentially centres on the Kalapani area, the Lipulekh Plateau and the Limpiyadhura Ridge – territories claimed by both countries and disputed since the Anglo-Nepalese Treaty of Sugauli in 1816. Al Jazeera summarises that Nepal insists on renegotiation, whilst India has so far shown no willingness to question the status quo.