Senior boundary expert Buddhi Narayan Shrestha has asserted that the primary mandate of the incoming government must be the tangible recovery of encroached territories. Speaking at an event in Kathmandu on Tuesday, Shrestha criticized previous administrations for limiting their efforts to publishing administrative maps without securing actual land possession. He specifically urged the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), as a potential core of the new government, to honor its electoral pledges regarding border management.
The expert proposed a significant shift in diplomatic strategy: moving beyond bilateral talks to establish a trilateral mechanism involving Nepal, India, and China. Shrestha argued that since regions like Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura function as tri-junctions, China's involvement is essential for a conclusive settlement. He emphasized that Nepal must first formally establish the tri-junction points, particularly at Limpiyadhura in the west, to define the intersection of the three nations' borders clearly.
Shrestha maintained that Nepal possesses overwhelming historical evidence, preserved in British and American archives, to prove its ownership of the disputed lands. He expressed confidence that Nepal would secure a victory if the case reached the International Court of Justice. However, he noted that global powers often remain silent on the issue due to their extensive trade ties with India, a factor he claims also influences China’s cautious stance.
In a symbolic move to assert national identity, the expert recommended installing a mural of the 'Greater Nepal' map at the entrance of the newly constructed parliament building. Drawing a parallel to the mural in the Indian Parliament that includes Nepali territories like Lumbini, Shrestha argued that showcasing Nepal’s historical boundaries is a legitimate act of national awareness. He concluded that failing to protect even 1,000 square kilometers of land could eventually displace hundreds of thousands of citizens and threaten the very existence of the nation.
