International Boundaries of Nepal

Description

Distinguished Nepalese Geographer, Buddhi Narayan Shrestha’s International Boundaries of Nepal is a highly informative and updated account of the Nepal’s crucial boundary issues with its mighty neighbours, India and China. The book contains an account of Shrestha’s theoretical as well as practical experiences with international boundary principles along with a case study on the flaming issues that has sparked widespread debate and controversy in South Asia. The case study discusses issues like negotiation on the Chinese claim to Mount Everest, the conflict on border marker 57 between Nepal and China, the divergence on the height of Mount Everest, the dishonouring Masonry Boundary Pillar by India, Kalapani-Limpiyadhura border issue with India, the settling of Susta border dispute with India, the legitimacy of Lipulek border Pass and the Battle of Maps on the Border.

Having worked as a Director General of the Survey Department of Nepal and officially served several significant Nepalese Boundary Committees with the Nepal’s neighbouring nations, Shrestha examines the historic dates and rare reports and alludes to crucial events in history that shaped the fate of Nepal and its boundaries with its neighbours along with other south Asian nations like Bangladesh and Pakistan. In the process, Shrestha evaluates several historic treaties and policy initiatives including Indo-Pacific Strategy of the United States and Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) of China and India’s ‘Neighbour First’ policy and attempts to come up with a clear vision and understanding of Nepal’s place as a sovereign land-locked nation.

Highly illustrated with archival images and maps, the book is a  must-read for all interested in fast changing face of the Himalayan nation.

Buddhi Narayan Shrestha, who has been responsible for putting out justification for the new claims against India, is unable to deny it either. But he now says that the trijunction at this end has not been determined and that notionally it would be pillar number zero on the boundary!

—Shyam Saran in Indian Express, Former India’s Ambassador to Nepal (2002-04), Former Indian foreign secretary and senior fellow CPR.

Buddhi Narayan Shreshta, from his long years of field experience and research, has provided us with this valuable International Boundaries of Nepal the history and politics of borders by Nepal with its neighbors, an interesting read.

— Ambassador (Dr) Amarendra Khatua, , Former Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, India

­­­­Buddhi Narayan Shrestha. Reflecting upon his own boundary philosophy and numerous travels across various borders of the world, he has certainly presented an enriching insights on border issues and management.

—Dr. Jussi P. Laine, President, Association for Borderlands Studies (ABS), Associate Professor, University of Eastern Finland

Buddhi Narayan Shrestha has continued to be involved in our work in health care and education, even though those areas are far afield from his passion and expertise: mapping and border issues. Even with the many books he’s written, speeches he’s presented, interviews he’s granted, and trips he’s taken around the globe as the world’s leading expert on Nepal’s boundary issues,

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­—Jack Starmer, Director, Health Care Nepal, New Hampshire, (USA)

One Buddhi Narayan has made significant contributions to keeping the country’s territorial integrity intact by speaking, writing, compiling and publishing maps in favor of Nepal.

—Bhairab Risal, Activist-Senior Journalist in Nagarik Daily

Buddhi Narayan Shrestha, a border expert who has been advocating for Nepal in this map conflict for a long time, deserves the most thanks. After his retirement from the government job, the country has benefited from his map struggle.

—Krishna Khanal, Contemporary Political Writer, Columnist in Kantipur Daily

Mr. Buddhi Narayan Shrestha has visited several countries to acquaint them with problems faced by Nepal in National Boundary Demarcation and Border Management between Nepal and India.

—Prof. Dr. Mohan P. Lohani, Former Ambassador to Bangladesh

 Buddhi’s unique knowledge, passion for his subject and inimitable style combine to make for a highly entertaining, informative and rewarding survey. Even casual readers will find much to enjoy, but for boundary specialists it is a treasure trove that will surely become the key reference work on Nepal’s boundaries.

—Martin Pratt, Professor and Director, Bordermap Consulting, Former Director, International Boundaries Research Unit (IBRU), University of Durham, UK

Distinguished Nepalese geographer and Border Researcher, Buddhi Narayan Shrestha has authored over a dozen books including Border Management of Nepal, Indo-Nepal Frontier Barrages & Dams. Knowledge on Boundaries, Knowledge on Earthquakes and Collection of Historical Boundary Maps Related to Nepal.

Currently, he is Managing Director at Bhumichitra Mapping Company and previously served as Director General, Government Survey Department of Nepal. He has led several international delegations including Nepal-India Joint Technical Level Boundary Committee and Nepal-China Boundary Committee.

He is recipient of several awards and honors including Madan Prize, Nepal, Dolezol Award (Viena- Austria). National Award for Excellence, Nepal Government. Certificate of Appreciation from International Federation of Surveyors, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Currently, he lives in Kathmandu.