India Nepal Border Dispute

This article talks about India Nepal border dispute. It discusses treaty of Sugauli which was signed between British India and Nepal  and how this treaty is viewed by India and Nepal to justify their stands on India Nepal border dispute.It also discusses historic background of treaty of Sugauli and why it is in news currently.

Background

Treaty of Sugauli

Cause of Anglo Nepalese War

Terms of Treaty of Sugauli

Importance of Treaty for British India

Why in News?

Stand of Nepal

Stand of India

Conclusion

Background

India and Nepal are very friendly countries for each other. The residents of both neighbouring countries can cross their borders without visa and they can work and reside in each others' countries. In past few years, relations between India and Nepal are deteriorating due to few reasons. One of such reasons is India and Nepal border dispute. The basis of this border dispute is a treaty signed between British India and the then Nepal. The treaty is popular by the name of "Treaty of Sugauli".

Treaty of Sugauli

Treaty of Sugauli was an agreement signed between British India and Nepal in 1816. It was signed in Sugauli village of Champaran district of Bihar. The treaty of Sugauli was concluded at the end of Anglo Nepalese war of 1814 - 1816. Though it was agreed upon by commanders in field on 2nd December 1815 but it was officially ratified on 4th March 1816. The purpose of this treaty was official demarcation of borders of British India and Kingdom of Nepal.

Cause of Anglo Nepalese War

In 1800s, British were trying to expand their territories towards Nepal. At that time, Nepal was under a kingdom called "Kingdom of Gorkha". Lord Hastings, the then Governor General of Bengal saw three powers in North India which were not under control of East India Company. These three powers were Nepal, Rajput states and Sikh empire. East India Company was in need of a favourable way to trade with Tibet. Since trade with Tibet was difficult due to blockadge of Kashmiri route by Sikh empire. Nepalese king denied trading rights to British. In order to fulfill the trading needs of EIC (East India Company), Lord Hastings looked in to border dispute between India and Nepal. The border dispute existed in Tarai region between Awadh region of India and Nepal. British EIC took advantage of this dispute and fought Anglo Nepalese War which lasted between 1814 to 1816. Overall, there were three causes of Anglo Nepalese war:

1. Border tensions in Awadh region
2. Trade dispute
3. Ambitious expansion of both powers, EIC and Kingdom of Nepal

Terms of Treaty of Sugauli

Both parties fought Anglo Nepalese War with courage. Soldiers of British East India Company faced difficulties while fighting in difficult terrain of Tarai but their superior weapons gave them upper hand. Since British won the war, therefore treaty of Sugauli was in their favour. The terms of treaty of Sugauli are described below:

• A British resident in territory of Nepal was accepted by the kingdom of Nepal.
• Nepal lost almost one third of its territory to British. Before signing this treaty, Nepal had its territory extended between Sutlej river in west and Teesta river.
• The kingdom of Nepal ceded districts of Garwal and Kumaon to British.
• The kingdom of Gorkha abandoned it's claims to large parts of Tarai region which were given to Awadh.
• Nepal had to withdraw from Sikkim after ruling there for 40 years.
• The treaty of Sugauli defined borders of Nepal with British India by Mahakali river on western border of Nepal. The river is also known as Sharda. Eastern border was defined by Mechi river.

Importance of Treaty for British India

Treaty of Sugauli proved completely in favour of British. Nepal became a loyal friend of British raj. Gurkhas joined the British Indian army in large number. In suppressing 1857 revolt, British got assistance from Nepal. EIC got facilities for trade with central Asia. British acquired large territories in Himalayas where they built hill stations such as Shimla, Mussorie, Nainital.

Why in News?

The treaty of Sugauli is the basis of Nepalese claim on a triangular piece of land on it's western border. This land entails an area of 300 square km. The northernmost village is Limpiyadhura. The southernmost part of it is Lipulekh pass. Gunji lies in southwest and Kalapani is located in south. From 1962 ownwards both India and Nepal are showing Lipulekh and Kalapani in their respective maps but this is the first time that Nepal has shown Limpiyadhura region in its map. The bitterness in India Nepal relations can be attributed to following events:

1. In November 2019, Modi government released a new map of India in which Kalapani was claimed to be under the control of India. This triggered unrest in Nepal.
2. On 8th May 2020, Indian defense minister inaugurated an 80 km long road along India Nepal border. This road passes through disputed area till Lipulekh. This road has reduced travel time of Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims. Since road passes through Lipulekh pass and Nepal claims this pass under it's territory, it raised an objection on constructing a road without asking Nepal.

Stand of Nepal

The government of Nepal uses treaty of Sugauli as a base for their claims. In 1990s, monarchy came to an end in Nepal and new dawn of democracy arrived. Nepalese democratic government accessed old historical papers and realised that this area belongs to their country. According to the treaty of Sugauli, western border of Nepal is defined by Mahakali river. But issue is that this river has two streams. Ideally, the heavy stream should be used for demarcation border. This is what Nepal believes and using western heavy stream of river, Nepal claims over triangular piece of land.

Stand of India

Indian government takes practical and historical considerations for justifying it's stand and claims. After 30 to 40 years of signing this treaty of Sugauli, British changed the maps and started using eastern stream of Mahakali river for defining border. This resulted in extension of British control over a small piece of land. They did so because of the fact that they realised the strategic significance of this area. Kingdom of Nepal did not make any objection. Moreover, it was a difficult terrain and negligible population of Nepalese resided there. So Nepal did not have any issue with this small change in maps. Since 1860s, same borders are continued to be followed. Monarchs of Nepal did not object on it any time. Even after many years of becoming a democratic country in 1990, Nepalese government did not make it any issue.

Conclusion

India Nepal border dispute is practically not significant. There is no point in claiming for a small territory when both countries have borders only for name. The small triangular piece of land is strategically valuable for India. In 1960s, during India China tensions and India China war of 1962, Indian army established a military post in this disputed area. At that time, permission was sought from Nepal also. This time while constructing road for Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims, India could have been more friendly with Nepal. Both countries are friendly to each other. Both countrues signed treaty of peace and friendship in 1950. It is better to solve this issue by both parties in a mature way rather than igniting sparks of hate by wrong statements. Indians and Nepalese are well integrated in Indian army also and this friendship should be respected.

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