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| Nepalese student activists demonstrate in Kathmandu and at the Indo-Nepal border, demanding recognition of Nepal’s claims over the Lipulekh and Kalapani regions. |
Kathmandu/New Delhi: Political tensions between Nepal and India resurfaced on Friday as student organizations affiliated with major Nepali political parties staged protests in Kathmandu and along the Indo-Nepal border, objecting to what they described as the inclusion of disputed Nepali territory in an Indian government map. The demonstrations, though largely peaceful, highlighted the continued sensitivity surrounding the long-standing Lipulekh–Kalapani territorial dispute between the two neighbouring countries.
The protests were organized by student wings of both the ruling and opposition parties in Nepal and took place in the capital Kathmandu as well as in border areas of Rupandehi district, adjacent to India’s Uttar Pradesh state.
In Kathmandu, members of the Akhil Nepal Rashtriya Swatantra Vidyarthi Union, the student organization affiliated with Nepal’s ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP), staged a protest outside the Indian Embassy in Lainchaur on Friday morning.
During the demonstration, students raised slogans asserting Nepal’s claim over the disputed territories, chanting “Lipulekh, Kalapani hamara hai” (Lipulekh and Kalapani are ours). Some protesters also lit a paper map of India as a symbolic act, drawing criticism from observers who called for restraint and dialogue.
Police personnel were deployed in the area to maintain law and order. Officials confirmed that the situation remained under control and no injuries or arrests were reported.
At the same time, the Nepal Students’ Union, affiliated with the opposition Nepali Congress, organized a separate protest march in Kathmandu. The march began at Pashupati Campus and proceeded toward Chabahil, with participants echoing similar demands regarding Nepal’s territorial claims.
Organizers said the protests were intended to pressure the Nepali government to take a firmer stance with India through diplomatic channels rather than allowing the issue to escalate further.
“This is not about hostility toward India, but about safeguarding Nepal’s sovereignty,” a student leader from the Nepali Congress student wing said during the march.
Tensions were also visible near the Belahiya–Sonauli border crossing in Rupandehi district, one of the busiest transit points between Nepal and India. Hundreds of students affiliated with the NCP’s student wing gathered near the Belahiya Peace Gate early Friday morning.
Led by student leader Lakshmi KC, protesters shouted slogans such as “Go back India” and “Vistarabad murdabad” (Down with expansionism). The slogans reflected anger over what demonstrators claimed was the depiction of Nepali territory as part of India in a recently released Indian map.
According to participants, the protest began around 7:00 a.m., with students accusing India of unilaterally altering maps near the Indo-Nepal border in Uttarakhand.
Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force (APF) were deployed promptly after receiving information about the gathering. Security personnel prevented the protesters from crossing into the no-man’s land between the two countries.
After nearly two hours of demonstrations, the students dispersed peacefully following discussions with local authorities. There were no reports of violence, damage to property, or attempts to breach the border.
On the Indian side, personnel from the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and local police stations under the Nautanwa Circle in Uttar Pradesh were placed on alert as a precautionary measure.
Speaking to local media, Raju Kumar Saw, the jurisdictional officer of Nautanwa, said that Indian security agencies were maintaining strict vigilance along the border.
“We are already on alert along the Indo-Nepal border. People in Nepal are free to express themselves within their own territory. However, if any activity takes place within Indian territory that threatens law and order, strict action will be taken,” he said.
Officials emphasized that cross-border movement continued normally and there was no disruption to trade or civilian travel at major checkpoints.
The Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura areas have been a subject of dispute between India and Nepal for decades. The region lies near the trijunction of India, Nepal, and China, giving it strategic importance.
Nepal maintains that the areas fall within its sovereign territory based on historical maps and treaties dating back to the Sugauli Treaty of 1816. India, meanwhile, considers the region part of its territory, citing administrative control and historical usage.
The dispute intensified in recent years following infrastructure projects and updated maps released by both countries. Diplomatic talks have been held intermittently, but a comprehensive resolution has yet to be achieved.
Despite periodic flare-ups, both India and Nepal have repeatedly stated that the border issue should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. Officials from both sides have emphasized the importance of maintaining cordial relations, given the deep historical, cultural, and economic ties between the two nations.
India and Nepal share an open border, allowing free movement of people and goods. Millions of citizens live and work across the border, making stability and cooperation crucial for both countries.
Diplomatic sources noted that while public protests reflect domestic political pressures, official communication between New Delhi and Kathmandu has continued through established channels.
Political analysts say that student protests, though symbolic, can influence public sentiment and complicate diplomatic efforts if not managed carefully.
“Such demonstrations are often driven by nationalism and domestic politics,” said a South Asia affairs analyst. “While they are an expression of democratic rights, both governments need to ensure that rhetoric does not spiral into actions that damage long-term bilateral relations.”
Experts also stressed the need for accurate public communication regarding maps and territorial claims to avoid misunderstandings.
By Friday afternoon, authorities on both sides of the border confirmed that the situation had returned to normal. Traffic at the Sonauli-Belahiya crossing was uninterrupted, and no further protests were reported.
While the demonstrations did not result in any immediate diplomatic fallout, they underscored the ongoing sensitivity of border issues between India and Nepal. Observers say sustained dialogue and confidence-building measures will be essential to prevent such disputes from escalating in the future.
For now, security agencies remain on alert, and both governments appear keen to ensure that political differences do not overshadow the broader relationship between the two neighbouring nations.
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