Kathmandu – The Government of Nepal has expressed dissatisfaction over the agreement reached between India and China last Tuesday and has sent separate diplomatic notes to both countries. According to sources at the Prime Minister’s Office, the notes were dispatched on Thursday.

Nepal has previously sent six diplomatic notes to India, four related to border disputes and two on other issues.

Recently, during his visit to India, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reached an agreement with the Indian side to open trade through Lipulekh, Nepali territory. In response, the Government of Nepal formally objected to the agreement.

In the diplomatic note, Nepal stated that the border dispute should be resolved through established mechanisms with India, and that such mechanisms are the only proper means to find a solution. The largest official mechanisms between Nepal and India include meetings led by foreign ministers, along with technical mechanisms under the Department of Survey.

There are three mechanisms under the Department of Survey to address Nepal–India border disputes. Among them, the Boundary Working Group, led by Nepal’s Director General of Survey and India’s Surveyor General, is considered the main mechanism. Its meetings are held alternately every year. Most recently, following the planned visit of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to India, a Home Secretary–level Boundary Working Group meeting was held in New Delhi on July 22–23. Afterwards, another meeting led by the Department of Survey was also held, where both sides agreed to resolve the dispute through diplomatic means.

Major diplomatic notes sent by Nepal since 2013 (2070 BS):

• Jestha 2072: Objection to India–China agreement to make Lipulekh a trade route
• 29 Baisakh 2077: Objection to inauguration of road to Mansarovar via Nepali territory
• 7 Mangsir 2077: Dispute with India after Nepal issued a new political map including its territory
• 10 Mangsir 2077: Concern over not receiving COVID-19 vaccines despite payment
• 21 Bhadra 2078: Incident of Jay Singh Dhami being swept away in Mahakali River and helicopter flights over Nepali territory
• 5 Bhadra 2082: Objection to India–China agreement on opening a trade route