Nepal changes stance on border dispute with India; what did Balen Shah say?

Kathmandu: Nepal has now come to its senses after making absurd statements regarding the border dispute with India. Last month, Nepali Prime Minister Balen Shah sparked a controversy by suggesting that he would approach China and Britain to resolve border disputes with India.

How did India respond? 

 India subsequently made it clear to Nepal that the interference of any third country in this matter would not be tolerated. Nepal has now concurred with this stance; the country's Foreign Minister stated in Parliament that the India-Nepal border dispute is strictly a bilateral issue and that no third party has a role in it.

What is Nepal's changed stance? 

Addressing the Nepali Parliament, Shishir Khanal sought to defuse the controversy arising from Prime Minister Balen Shah's statement. In his speech, he said, "I wish to clarify in this House that the Nepal-India border is a bilateral issue. Nepal has always sought to resolve this problem through dialogue based on historical agreements between the two nations."
 The Nepal Foreign Minister further clarified that the Prime Minister did not intend to seek mediation from a third party; rather, he meant that if China or Britain possessed historical documents dating back to the 'Sugauli Treaty' era, they could be utilized to assist in the technical process. Notably, Shishir Khanal had previously visited India, where he also advocated for resolving border disputes through mutual dialogue. He has now reiterated this clarification in Parliament.

What did the Nepali PM say?

 Last month, while making a statement in Parliament, Nepali Prime Minister Balen Shah remarked that just as India had encroached upon Nepali territory, Nepal had also encroached upon Indian land in several places. During this address, he mentioned China and Britain in the context of resolving the dispute. 
Shah had stated in Parliament, "You would be surprised to learn a fact that I discovered only after becoming Prime Minister: it is not just India that has encroached upon Nepali territories; Nepal, too, has encroached upon Indian territories in several places. Now, both countries should examine the facts and sit together to resolve this issue."
The Nepali Prime Minister mentioned that Kathmandu has also held diplomatic discussions with China and Britain regarding this issue. Shah explained that he raised the matter with Britain because it dates back to the time when the British government withdrew from the region. His statement sparked significant controversy; he faced criticism within his own country, and the government is now engaged in damage control.

Did India had clarifiy its position? 

 It is worth noting that there is a long-standing border dispute between Nepal and India concerning Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura. Nepal has consistently claimed these areas, whereas India has clarified that they are part of its Uttarakhand state. India has maintained that such disputes should be resolved through bilateral dialogue. Meanwhile, India had also expressed strong objection to the Nepali PM's statement. 
The Ministry of External Affairs stated that while approximately 98 percent of the India-Nepal border has been demarcated, some sections remain unresolved. The Ministry explained that this situation arises due to changes in the course of the Gandak River.