Nepal Can't Trace Key 1816 Treaty Behind Border Claims Against India
What Happened
Nepal's government has said it cannot confirm whether it still possesses the original copy of the 1816 Sugauli Treaty, which forms the historical basis of its claims over the disputed Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura regions. While treaty-related documents exist in national archives, repeated searches have failed to locate the original signed document.
Key Takeaways
The revelation could complicate Nepal's reliance on the Sugauli Treaty in its border dispute with India. The treaty remains central to competing interpretations of the India-Nepal boundary, particularly around the source of the Kali (Mahakali) River, even as both countries continue discussions over the contested areas.