The government will seek evidence even from Great Britain to bring back the encroached land of Kalapani.
Addressing the weekly press conference on Thursday, Government Spokesperson and Minister for Communication and Information Technology Gokula Baskota claimed that the government is taking initiative to resolve the border dispute with India.
"We don't need even an inch of other's land," he stated implying that the government would not allow encroachment of even an inch of Nepali land.
"We have evidence that the land belongs to Nepal. Old census and land ownership certificates are the evidence," he stated. He said the government will also look for other evidence if required. "Britain may also have kept records of Sugauli Treaty. We can look for that evidence."
The inclusion of Lipu Lekh and Kalapani of Nepal in the new political map published by India at the start of November has been widely condemned with the ruling and opposition parties alike protesting the Indian act. The all-party meeting convened by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli decided to initiate formal dialogue with India about Kalapani and Lipu Lekh.
The government has already stated that Nepal does not accept the map issued unilaterally by India. "The Nepal government is clear that Kalapani area is part of Nepal," the Foreign Ministry said issuing a statement. "It is clear that outstanding border issues between the two countries should be concluded with bilateral consensus, and any decision taken unilaterally will not be acceptable for Nepal government."
The ministry stressed that border disputes between the two friendly neighbors should be resolved through diplomatic channel on the basis of historic documents and evidence.
Government Spokesperson Baskota the next day elaborated on the historic evidence pointing that Nepal conducted a census in the area in 2018 BS and has historical evidence proving Nepal collected tax from the surrounding areas in the past. "That shows that the land was in Nepal's control in the past for one cannot go to another country and conduct census and establish revenue offices," he argued.
The Indian government, meanwhile, has said it is committed to finding a solution to border disputes with Nepal through dialogue.
Responding to a question about the outrage against Indian in Nepal over inclusion of Lipu Lekh and Kalapani of Nepal in the new political map published by India and the Indian government's response to the statement issued by the Nepali Foreign Ministry, Spokesperson at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Raveesh Kumar claimed that the new map does not change the Indian borders with Nepal in any way.
"Our map accurately depicts the sovereign territory of India. The new map has in no manner revised our boundaries with Nepal," he stated. "The boundary delineation exercise with Nepal is ongoing under the existing mechanism. We reiterate our commitment to find a solution through dialogue in the spirit of close and friendly bilateral relationship."
He also hinted that the current uproar in Nepal may have been stirred by some vested interests and called for a need to guard against such interests. "I think this is very important to note, that both sides should guard against vested interests who are out there to create some differences between the two countries."
China has also spoken on the border dispute between Nepal and India over Kalapani, the tri-junction of international borders also including China.
The Embassy of China in Kathmandu issuing a statement has urged the two countries through consultation and negotiation.
