India-Nepal relations: Border Issue

India-Nepal relations: Border Issue

GS-2: International Relations

(IAS/UPPCS)

10/05/2024

Source: IE

Why in news:

Recently, Nepal decided to include a map on its Rs 100 note showing some areas administered by India in Uttarakhand as part of its territory.

  • It is noteworthy that this map was unanimously adopted in the Parliament of Nepal in the year 2020.

India's response:

  • India stressed that such “unilateral measures” by Nepal will not change the ground reality. India said discussions are continuing through an established forum regarding border matters.

Historic Background:

  • Relations between India and Nepal date back to the Shakya dynasty and the rule of Gautam Buddha. Initially, Nepal was under tribal rule and its feudal era actually began with the advent of Licchavi rule in Nepal.
  • Nepal is an important neighboring country of India and due to decades-long geographical, historical, cultural and economic ties, Nepal holds special importance in India's foreign policy.
  • The India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950 is the basis of the special relationship that exists between India and Nepal. India and Nepal are also members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
  • India and Nepal also have a close relationship in terms of Hinduism and Buddhism, the period 750 to 1750 AD saw a shift from Buddhism to Hinduism in Nepal and wide cultural spread, 80 percent of Nepal's population follows Hinduism and Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, is located in present-day Nepal.

Border Disputes:

  • The border between Nepal and India is more than 1,700 kilometers long. Nepal shares borders with 5 Indian states, Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.
  • The border between the two countries is mainly based on the Sugauli Treaty of 1816 between the British East India Company and the Kingdom of Nepal. This treaty defined the border between the two countries and subsequent treaties and agreements have further described the border.
  • Article five of the Sugauli Treaty mentions the Mahakali River (or Kali River as described in the treaty) as the western boundary. The treaty does not reveal anything about the origin of the Mahakali River, but hydrographic studies show that Limpiyadhura is the center of its origin, making it a tri-junction between India, Nepal and China.

Major causes of Border Issue:

Following are the reasons for the dispute between the two countries:

  • Territorial dispute between the two countries regarding the Kalapani-Limpiyadhura-Lipulekh tri-junction area in the year 2020.
  • Allegations of India's alleged interference in Nepal's domestic affairs keep coming to the fore.
  • Nepal's growing relations with China have further increased the tension between the two countries.
  • Due to the open border between the two countries, cases of illegal migration and smuggling are also increasing.
  • Nepal disputes India over border map regarding Kalapani-Limpiyadhura-Lipulekh tri-junction.
  • India argues that the area is part of its territory and has maintained a military presence there since the 1960s. In the past, there is also a dispute regarding Susta area located in the southern area of Nawalparasi district of Nepal. Both India and Nepal claim this area.
  • Water sharing has been a major cause of disputes between Nepal and India. Both countries share several rivers including the Kosi, Gandaki and Mahakali and several agreements have been signed on sharing these water resources. Nepal has accused India of withholding water during the dry season, while India has expressed concerns about the impact of Nepal's hydroelectric projects on downstream populations.
  • Many times Nepal has accused India of encroaching on Nepal's territories. Especially in border areas where the definition of the border is unclear. As a result, there are occasional skirmishes between the border forces of the two countries. Analysts in Nepal also say that the region faces heavy floods every year during the monsoon season due to Indian-built dams and embankments at various places like Lakshmanpur, Rasiyawal-Khurlotan, Mahalisagar, Kohlawas and Kunauli. However, floods also cause a lot of destruction in India.
  • Relations between India and Nepal soured in 2015, when India was accused for the first time of interfering in the drafting of the Constitution in Nepal.
  • India was also blamed for the "informal blockade" on the Madhesis issue, leading to widespread resentment against the country and further deterioration in India-Nepal relations.
  • Politicians in Nepal successfully exploited Nepalese nationalism and anti-Indianism.

India-Nepal relations:

India-Nepal Peace and Friendship Treaty:

  • According to the provisions of this treaty signed in 1950, about 8 million Nepali citizens live in India and enjoy the same facilities and opportunities as Indian citizens.

Defence Collaboration:

  • India is assisting Nepal Army (NA) in its modernization by supplying equipment and providing training.
  • 'India-Nepal battalion-level joint military exercise Surya Kiran' is conducted alternately in India and Nepal.

Connectivity and Development Partnership:

  • Landlocked Nepal is heavily dependent on India for transportation of goods and services and access to the sea is through India.
  • India is assisting Nepal in the development of border infrastructure through upgrading of 10 roads in the Terai region; Development of cross border rail connectivity at Jogbani-Biratnagar, Jaynagar-Bardibas; and setting up of integrated check posts at Birgunj, Viratnagar, Bhairahawa and Nepalgunj.

Energy Collaboration:

  • Power exchange agreement since 1971 to meet electricity needs.
  • Signing in 2014 of an agreement on 'Electric Power Trade, Cross-Border Transmission Interconnection and Grid Connectivity'.

Business and Economic:

  • India remains Nepal's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade crossing US$7 billion in FY 2019-20.
  • India's exports to Nepal have increased more than 8 times in the last 10 years while exports from Nepal have almost doubled.
  • Nepal is India's 11th largest export destination, up from 28th in 2014.
  • In FY 2021-22, it accounted for 2.34% of India's exports. Exports from India account for about 22% of Nepal's GDP.

Mahakali River Bridge:

  • Recently, an agreement was signed between India and Nepal for the construction of a motorable bridge over the Mahakali river connecting Dharchula (India) to Darchula (Nepal) under Indian grant assistance.

Operation Maitri and post-earthquake reconstruction assistance:

  • In the wake of the 2015 Nepal earthquake, the Government of India launched its largest disaster relief operation (Operation Maitri) in Nepal.

Way forward:

  • Bilateral talks between the two countries should continue at regular intervals at the level of Foreign Ministers.
  • To stop Nepal's growing closeness with China, India should immediately complete various projects in Nepal.
  • India should strengthen trade bilateral relations with Nepal.
  • India should try to win the trust of Nepali people by effectively resolving the border dispute and Kali River water dispute.
  • India should revive its ancient historical ties with Nepal through pilgrimage and tourism activities.

Conclusion:

India and Nepal have held several rounds of talks over the years to find acceptable solutions to their border disputes but progress has been slow and sporadic. In the year 1981, both the countries formed a Joint Technical Level Boundary Committee, which was entrusted with the task of surveying and mapping the border areas to determine the boundary area. Despite this, there are still some elements of tension in the relations between the two countries, of which China is the main one.

India needs to move forward on bilateral dialogue, stronger economic ties and greater sensitivity towards the people of Nepal to achieve the objectives of its 'Neighborhood First' policy.

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Mains Question:

Discuss the main causes of dispute and their solutions in India-Nepal relations.