Nepal may not have the original document of the 1816 Sugauli Treaty, a key historical agreement underpinning its modern territorial claims, with Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal telling Parliament that the government cannot confirm whether the original treaty is in its possession. Khanal made the remarks in Nepal’s House of Representatives while responding to questions about the country’s treaty records.

Khanal said some documents related to treaties are available at Nepal’s National Archives, but extensive searches across government departments have failed to establish whether the definitive signed copy of the Sugauli Treaty is among them. He noted that the government does not have clear information about the whereabouts of the official treaty document.

The Sugauli Treaty was signed in 1816 following the Anglo-Nepalese War of 1814-1816 between the East India Company and Nepal. Lieutenant Colonel Paris Bradshaw signed on behalf of the East India Company, while Raj Guru Gajraj Mishra represented Nepal’s King Girvan Yuddha Bikram Shah. The agreement remains an important historical reference in Nepal’s claims over certain territories along its border with India.

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In 2019, Nepal’s then Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali had stated that the country possessed copies of the treaties. The Sugauli Treaty, however, predates Indian independence, and India’s relations with Nepal after 1947 have also been governed by subsequent agreements and bilateral mechanisms. The India-Nepal border is currently managed through the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship as well as technical documents prepared by joint bilateral mechanisms.

The most prominent dispute concerns the Kalapani region in the Greater Himalayas, along with Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh. Nepal has maintained that these areas form part of its territory, while India considers them part of its territory. Nepal objected after India issued new maps in 2019 that showed the disputed areas within Indian territory. The dispute has gained renewed attention following the India-China understanding on reopening the Lipulekh Pass trade route.

Nepal has reiterated that its position on the disputed territories remains unchanged and that the issue should be resolved through diplomatic dialogue and mutual understanding. Foreign Minister Khanal has also emphasised Kathmandu’s intention to strengthen relations with both India and China, based on sovereign equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit, while promoting greater regional cooperation, connectivity and trade.

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