The Kalapani dispute between India and Nepal resurfaced in November 2019 when India published a new political map showing the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including Kalapani as part of Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district. Nepal immediately protested, asserting that Kalapani is part of its territory. The disagreement centers on a 372-square-kilometer area at the trijunction of India, Nepal, and China.
The origins of the dispute date back to 1816 with the Treaty of Sagauli, which established the Kali River as the boundary between British India and Nepal. The controversy over the river’s source fuels the dispute: Nepal claims it starts from Limpiyadhura or Lipulekh, whereas India says it begins from a creek called Pankhagad.
Tensions escalated when India inaugurated a road through the disputed area in May 2020, prompting Nepal to formally protest and release a new map showing Kalapani within its borders. Historically, maps have varied, with some showing the river originating from different locations, causing further confusion.
In the 1960s, during the Indo-China war, India stationed troops in Kalapani, viewing it as a strategic location against China. The dispute remains unresolved despite repeated discussions, including during Prime Minister G.P. Koirala’s visit to India in 2000.
India and Nepal share an open border, allowing free movement of people and goods, which has benefited both countries. However, this open border also poses challenges such as smuggling and undocumented trade. Historical efforts to manage the border included agreements and joint committees, but some areas, including Kalapani, remain disputed.
Both countries need to negotiate new border management agreements considering recent developments and prioritize the well-being of their people to prevent conflicts like the Kalapani dispute.
