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VOL. 7, ISSUE 6 (2025)
Tri-junction tensions: Historical roots and contemporary implications for Indo-Nepal relations
Authors
Manash Kumar Behera
Abstract
The longstanding
tri-junction dispute involving India, Nepal, and China has emerged as a
critical geopolitical flashpoint in South Asia. This article traces the
historical foundations of the conflict, beginning with colonial-era surveys,
the 1816 Treaty of Sugauli, and subsequent cartographic inconsistencies that
shaped divergent territorial interpretations. By analysing archival maps,
treaty texts, and post-independence diplomatic correspondence, the study
reveals how historical ambiguity and shifting geostrategic priorities
intensified competing claims over regions such as Kalapani, Lipulekh, and
Limpiyadhura. The paper further examines the contemporary implications of the
dispute on Indo-Nepal relations, especially in the context of changing regional
power dynamics, domestic political discourse in Nepal, and India’s security
considerations along its Himalayan frontier. The research highlights how
political nationalism, media narratives, and external strategic influences have
escalated tensions, affecting bilateral cooperation in trade, water management,
connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges. Drawing on interviews, policy
documents, and secondary analyses, the study argues for the necessity of
sustained dialogue, transparent cartographic verification, and institutional
confidence-building measures. Ultimately, the article contends that a peaceful
and mutually acceptable resolution of the tri-junction issue is essential not
only for restoring trust between India and Nepal but also for ensuring long-term
stability and regional integration in the Himalayan borderlands.
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Pages:96-99
How to cite this article:
Manash Kumar Behera "Tri-junction tensions: Historical roots and contemporary implications for Indo-Nepal relations". International Journal of Social Science and Humanities, Vol 7, Issue 6, 2025, Pages 96-99
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