Foreign Minister Khanal clarifies position on border issue and denies uranium mining agreement in Mustang

Kathmandu: Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal has clarified that there is no agreement between the Nepali Army and the US Army for uranium mining in Mustang district.

Responding to questions raised by lawmakers in the National Assembly, he said that the public discussions in this regard are baseless and untrue. “There is no truth in the matter of an agreement between the Nepali Army and the US Army for uranium mining in Mustang district,” Minister Khanal said, “No agreement or agreement has been made with anyone regarding mining in this area.”

He stated that the government is fully committed to the provisions related to natural resources and their utilization as per Article 289 of the Constitution of Nepal 2072 BS. He said that it is clear that Nepal will not make any agreement that goes against its non-aligned foreign policy and the principles of Panchasheel. He also informed that the Department of Mines will take necessary procedures and steps.

In this context, Foreign Minister Khanal also expressed his views on the issue related to the Nepal-India border. He said that although the bilateral technical committee between the two countries has finalized the demarcation of many territories, the demarcation of Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, Kalapani and Susta areas has not yet been completed.

“It is a fact that the demarcation of those areas has not been done by the technical team,” he said, “but we are clear - those territories belong to Nepal. We have historical basis, evidence and maps.” He said that he had raised the same issue in his meeting with his Indian counterpart and wanted to resolve the dispute through diplomatic dialogue based on historical facts and evidence.