Persistent Chinese incursion triggers China-Nepal border row as border pillars go missing in Daulkha district of Nepal

China has turned the heat alongside the sovereign borders of Nepal once again. Two nations that have historically had friendly relations are now subject to dispute and global attention as China creates border trouble with yet another country that it shares a boundary with.

In a reported series of events, the Nepal was found to have entered 10.5 meters inside of Nepalese borders in village-Vigu of District-Daulkha. The incident was reported to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nepal by the Border & Information Department of Nepalese Home ministry raising red flags.

On the other hand, Nepal’s Border Pillar No. 60 was found missing from its original post, possibly washed away in the river flowing nearby. The incursion was further countenanced by erection of 2 Chinese flags near the Chinese Border Pillar No. 60.

The China-Nepal border has historically been a controlled border system, established by a mutual agreement between the 2 nations in 1960, which subsequently led to the formation of the 1961 border treaty, with the construction of the pillars of demarcation. Post the 1961 treaty, the boundary line between Nepal and China has witnessed several changes mainly including the erection of 76 permanent border pillars. China is now trying to change the status quo in its favour.

In September last year, China encroached upon Nepalese territory and constructed 11 buildings in a remote district of Nepal’s border, Humla. Nepal claimed territory over Humla, China expectedly denied it. This incident raised tensions along the border, culminating to widespread protests outside the Chinese embassy in Nepal, with people sloganeering “Stop Chinese Expansionism”. The buildings were constructed by China at the spot where a Nepalese border pillar was found missing several years ago. The local rural municipality chair of the disputed area had reported upon China’s stake to claim the area under its control. These developments fueled protests at the embassy in Kathmandu against the Chinese hegemony and disregard for national sovereignty of Nepal.

During those times, Nepalese officials had stated that their attempts to negotiate with the Chinese side were rendered fruitless and met with hostility. The Chinese security personnel came armed with a tanker, truck and a jeep, asking the Nepalese officials to retreat to the border for talks and clarifications.

The expansionist designs of China have gone on unabated with whoever it shares a boundary line. The displacement of the border pillar in Nepal is not an isolated event. As per a survey by Nepal’s Ministry of Agriculture, China illegally encroached several bordering districts including Gorkha, Dolakha, Humla, Darchula, Sindhupalchowk, Rasuwa and Sankhuwasabha.

Years of peaceful coexistence between the 2 countries is being undone by Jinping’s regime and its ruthless pursuit to arm-twist smaller neighboring countries.

The border pillar displacement situation worsened as Prime Minister KP Oli defended the encroachments by the CCP, a stance that was vehemently opposed by the opposition members of Nepali Congress. KP Oli’s denial has put the Sino-China border row at a crossroads for both the countries, thus playing directly into China’s hand.

Additionally, under current circumstances surrounding the pandemic, Nepal is also not too keen to engage with China over any border dispute due to possible economic backlash and the high expense involved. China has an easy opportunity to capitalize upon the vulnerable Nepalese border and displace more border pillars, raking in increased territory.

An amicable resolution between the once friendly nations seems to be largely uncertain as China goes on to establish its global hegemony on a war footing.

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