Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah has said his government will formally involve both the United Kingdom and China in ongoing efforts to resolve the long‑running border dispute with India over the Lipulekh Pass, a strategically important Himalayan corridor. Addressing Nepal’s Parliament for the first time since taking office, Shah said the issue “dates back to the period of British India,” and therefore requires the participation of all historically linked parties.
Shah told lawmakers that Nepal remains committed to resolving the dispute through dialogue and diplomacy, emphasising that the government has already initiated conversations with New Delhi, Beijing and London. He said the UK’s involvement is essential because the boundary arrangements in the region were originally shaped during the colonial era, when British India administered territories adjoining Nepal’s western frontier.
Speaking to reporters after his parliamentary address, Shah said the border issue has been raised not only with India but also with China and the UK. He argued that all three countries have a role in clarifying historical records and supporting a peaceful settlement. His remarks follow renewed political debate in Nepal over the Lipulekh region, which Kathmandu claims falls within its territory under the 1816 Sugauli Treaty, while India maintains that the area lies within its own administrative boundaries.
The dispute resurfaced in recent years after India and China expanded infrastructure and trade routes near the tri‑junction area. Nepal has repeatedly objected to bilateral India‑China agreements involving Lipulekh, saying Kathmandu must be included in any discussions affecting its territorial claims.
Shah said his government would pursue a “firm but diplomatic” approach, adding that Nepal seeks a resolution that respects sovereignty, historical treaties and regional stability. He reaffirmed that the dispute would be handled transparently and in consultation with all relevant stakeholders.