The latest border dispute related to India has spurred fresh controversy with a “nominally peaceful” neighbour in Nepal protesting against recent expansions in roadway networks near the border in a long term project recently inaugurated by Rajnath Singh. The 80 Km road cuts through the Lipu Lekh Himalayan pass, considered one of the shortest and most feasible trade routes between India and China and thus has an immense amount of strategic importance.
Nepal fiercely contested the inauguration of the road and viewed the alleged incursion as what they claim is an example of “bullying by its much larger neighbor”, triggering a fresh dispute over the strategically important territory.
The Prime Minister of Nepal as a response released a new political map showcasing the disputed regions under Nepali sovereignty. Nepal, which was never under colonial rule, has long claimed the areas of Limpiyadhura, Kalapani and Lipu Lekh in accordance with the 1816 Sugauli treaty with the British Raj, although these areas have remained in control of Indian troops since India fought a war with China in 1962.
Multiple reports have talked about India’s unwillingness to engage in diplomatic talks until the corona situation has been resolved which doesn't seem to be nearing a close anytime soon. Nepali Prime Minister in an interview recently stated “If the coronavirus is an obstacle for not being able to hold diplomatic dialogue soon, it should have been an obstacle for the inauguration of the link road as well,”. “But if the coronavirus did not create any problem to the inauguration, that means there are some controversies, there are some paradoxes.”
This new dispute has strained long held amicable relationships between the two countries and a swift diplomatic solution seems to be in the best interests of all of the actors concerned as well as the general stability of South East-Asia. What remains to be seen, however, is the response from the Indian government which has maintained an almost ominous silence on the issue beyond some patriotic sentiments expressed by spokespersons.
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