Introduction
The India–Nepal border is over 1,850 km long and largely delineated, but key areas like Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura remain disputed following Nepal’s 2020 constitutional map change. In 2025, both nations have reactivated institutional mechanisms to resume boundary works and address unresolved matters within a diplomatic, cooperative framework.
1. 📌 Boundary Working Group (BWG) Resumption
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Nepal’s Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba urged resumption of Boundary Working Group meetings in January 2025, citing backlog in restoring boundary pillars and demarcation in agreed sectors excluding those under dispute.
Both sides agreed to reconvene BWG after a hiatus of over five years.
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The BWG monitors critical technical tasks—repairing nearly 8,554 boundary pillars, identifying encroachments, mapping no-man’s land, and GPS verification via field surveys.
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2. 🇳🇵 Disputed Areas: Political Consensus & Diplomatic Dialogue
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Nepal’s Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli affirmed national consensus on territories east of the Mahakali River, including Kalapani, stating that border disputes will be resolved via established diplomatic mechanisms.
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Nepal has proposed creative solutions including a land-swap option to gain strategic access to Bangladesh via India's Siliguri corridor, though India regards such proposals as geopolitically sensitive.
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Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Pushpa Kamal Dahal endorsed resolving boundary issues “in the spirit of friendship,” reaffirming use of regular bilateral channels rather than unilateral assertions.
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3. Trade Infrastructure & Cross-Border Facilitation
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India and Nepal are expanding Integrated Check Posts (ICPs)—including Raxaul (India) and Birgunj (Nepal)—modernizing customs and improving logistic infrastructure. Birgunj ICP handles nearly 58% of Nepal’s imports from India.
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For smuggling prevention, customs officials held their 21st DG‑level talks in April 2025 to accelerate data-sharing, digitize transit processes, and curb trafficking in narcotics, gold, counterfeit currency, and restricted goods.
Business Standard
4. Enhanced Border Security Coordination
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Operation Sindoor and high-level coordination between the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), IB, NIA, police, and Nepal counterparts have intensified surveillance to combat infiltration, trafficking, and radicalisation.
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Nearly 20 suspected human‑trafficking cases are intercepted per month at India‑Nepal transit points, highlighting operational vigilance.
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The infrastructure project Raxaul–Haldia Expressway—a 650 km six‑lane corridor—will directly connect the border to Haldia port, facilitating trade routes involving Nepal by 2028.
Indiatimes
5. ⚖️ Mahakali Treaty's Legal Basis and Water Boundary Setups
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The 1996 Mahakali Treaty governs boundary river management and hydroelectric cooperation along the Mahakali (Kali) River, offering a legal framework to underpin diplomatic dialogue.
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Summary Table
| Domain | Status |
|---|---|
| Boundary Talks | BWG reconvened in early 2025 to resume demarcation excluding contested zones |
| Political Standoff | Nepal's map assertion vs India's caution; both sides prefer bilateral dialogue |
| Trade & Infrastructure | ICPs modernized, expressway project initiated to boost Indo‑Nepal commerce |
| Security Collaboration | Strong inter-agency coordination via SSB, Nepal Police to curb trafficking |
| Legal Foundation | Mahakali Treaty provides governance for boundary water-sharing and pillar rights |
Conclusion
In 2025, India–Nepal border settlements are on a path of restored diplomacy and institutional engagement. Recommissioning the BWG and resuming demarcation works signal a return to technical cooperation. While the Kalapani‑Susta dispute remains unresolved, both countries reaffirm commitment to address it via dialogue rather than polarising rhetoric.
Simultaneously, strengthened transit infrastructure, intelligence-sharing, and customs modernization reflect deeper interdependence. With careful diplomacy and mutual respect, India–Nepal can manage border complexity while advancing people‑centric trade and security priorities.