(a) whether a certain portion of Indian territory adjoining Indo-Nepal border in Uttar Pradesh
and Bihar has been claimed by Nepal;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government of Nepal has granted the Nepalese citizenship to the people of
these areas;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI S.M. KRISHNA)
(a) & (b) Strip maps covering about ninety six percent of the India-Nepal boundary have been
jointly finalised by the Joint Technical Committee (JTC) on Boundary Matters, and initialled.
There are, however, differences of perception in some areas on the alignment of boundary between
India and Nepal. Differences exist in areas such as Narsahi -Susta in Bihar and Kalapani in
Uttarakhand. The shifting of course in Susta region of the Gandak river, the mid-stream of which
formed the boundary under the Treaty of Sugauli of 1816, has resulted in claims by Nepal in this
segment.
(c) to (e) Some Nepalese citizens are residing in these areas.Once jointly finalised strip
maps are signed, a new institutional mechanism, India-Nepal Boundary Working Group (BWG), with
mutually agreed terms of reference, is to commence work, which would include, inter alia, strip
mapping and delineation of the India-Nepal boundary line in the remaining sectors.