Despite Public Silence, India and Nepal Discuss Boundary Dispute, Agree to Continue Talks Through Existing Mechanism |
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New Delhi: India and Nepal discussed their long-standing boundary dispute during talks in New Delhi on Saturday (June 6), with the two sides acknowledging progress by a joint field team and committing to resume formal border and boundary management discussions soon – even as neither government’s official readout made any mention of the sensitive territorial issue.
External affairs minister S. Jaishankar held talks with Nepal foreign minister Shisir Khanal on Saturday, capping a week of intense engagement between New Delhi and Nepal’s new ruling establishment.
While the official statements focused exclusively on development cooperation, connectivity and energy, it is learned from the Nepali side that “all issues of bilateral concern were discussed”.
Sources told The Wire that both sides acknowledged progress on active ongoing work on the Nepal-India boundary by the joint field team, with further discussions to be taken up by the appropriate boundary and border management mechanism, which is expected to meet soon.
“We remain committed to solve all our issues through dialogue and discussions with the spirit of friendship and understanding,” a high-level Nepali official said.
The official silence on the border issue stood in contrast to........