Read along if you want to understand the technicalities of how and why Nepal amended its map, where the dispute lies, and what forced Nepal to drop its claim later.

We once again must thank the British (there’s literally no end to the shit they’ve spread!) for this as the border dispute dates to 1814-1816 Anglo-Nepalese War. Before the war Nepal with their supreme Gorkhas had mastered the mountainous tract.

They laid claim to territories between river Sutlej and river Teesta (modern day Sikkim, Garhwal & Kumaon ranges and Terai region). See map below and pardon my poor geography and drawing skills.

Despite having half the army strength and no sophisticated weapons, the Gorkhas fought well but ultimately lost out to a Calvary of 22k men and hundreds of cannons of the East India Company.

Thereafter the treaty of Sagauli was implemented in 1816. Nepal lost Sikkim, Garhwal & Kumaon and Terai. The Mechi River became the new eastern end and Mahakali river the western border. I will get back to Mahakali and its border later.

Now we all know Indian Govt building is roads to provide easier access and better connectivity to military posts along the LAC. As a part of this, BRO also completed building the 80km stretch between Ghatiabgarh and Lipulekh which decrease the Kailash Mansarovar yatra by 6 day

Coming back to the Mahakali river which has 3 different diversions (sources). Kailash Mansarovar road lies between the 3 sources and hence the Govt of Nepal Communist Party led by KP Sharma claimed their territory extends to the 1816 border. (1 - actual, 2 - claimed)

You might now be wondering what suddenly caused Nepal to back down? Answer – the Nepalese people. Nepal relies almost entirely on India for their supplies. Along the China-Nepal are the Himalayas ranges including Mt. Everest.

Even if China were to send supplies it has to be shipped to Kolkata and then transported back into Nepal because obviously transportation over the Himalayas is difficult and expensive.

Modi Govt in 2015 got a lot of slack for the unofficial ‘Nepal Blockade’ when it cut off the fuel transportation into Nepal for two months leading to an economic as well as humanitarian crisis. India had though allowed shipments of perishables like fruits and vegetables to pass.

With the memory of 2015 fresh in the minds of the Nepalese people, they were now scared the Indian Govt might enforce an even harsher blockade if the NCP continued to operate for CCP and held on to its border claims.

There were mass protests in Nepal where Oli’s NCP Govt was heavily criticized for their handling of Covid, corruption & quiet simply acting against the interest of the citizens. Predictably, the Parliament decided to drop the territorial claims and stuck to the original border.

Thank you for reading along.