Nepal intends to resolve its border disputes with India through existing bilateral mechanisms and without the involvement of third parties.

This was stated by Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal following a visit to New Delhi, effectively backing India’s position, which opposes any external mediation in territorial issues, Hindustan Times reports.

According to the minister, relations between the two countries should be built not on the geopolitical contradictions of the past, but on cooperation in development, trade, energy, and transport connectivity. The statement came amid the ongoing dispute over the Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani areas, which Nepal claims.

The recent remarks by Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah prompted discussion, as some observers interpreted them as a hint at a possible role for China and the United Kingdom in resolving the dispute. Khanal stressed that Kathmandu is not seeking international mediation.

According to him, the mention of the United Kingdom was linked solely to the need to study historical documents, since the origins of the dispute date back to the 1816 Treaty of Sugauli. “Our position was not that we are asking for mediation,” the minister emphasized.

He added that any border issues can be resolved through negotiations if the parties act on the basis of mutual respect and readiness for dialogue. During talks with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, the sides also discussed the development of transport corridors, railway links, energy projects, trade, water resource management, and cross-border cooperation.

According to Khanal, Nepal’s new government hopes to build relations with India on the basis of pragmatic partnership and shared economic interests.

In addition, he noted that Prime Minister Balendra Shah is currently focused on domestic reforms and delivering on election promises, and therefore is not yet planning active foreign trips.