Nepal's Foreign Ministry has issued a clarification regarding Prime Minister Balendra Shah's recent remarks in parliament concerning the India-Nepal border dispute. The ministry stated that the references to 'cross-border occupation' mentioned by the Prime Minister pertain to areas classified as no-man's land and do not indicate new territorial encroachment claims. It reaffirmed Nepal's longstanding position on the Lipulek-Limpiyadhura-Kalapani region, which is grounded in the 1816 Sugauli Treaty. The ministry also noted that diplomatic communications have already taken place with India regarding the Mansarovar pilgrimage route that traverses the Lipulek area. The statement further explained that the issue involves situations where citizens from one country may cultivate or reside on land that technically belongs to the other, particularly in riverine areas where boundaries are less defined. The Foreign Ministry emphasized the commitment of both nations to resolve border issues through diplomatic dialogue based on historical treaties and agreements. This clarification follows PM Shah's earlier suggestion to raise the Lipulek issue with the UK and propose collaborative exercises with India to address the matter effectively.