Kaalapani

Kaalapani is a territory disputed between India and Nepal. It is located in the Himalayas, forming part of India's Pithoragarh district in Uttarakhand state and claimed by Nepal as part of its Darchula district in Sudurpashchim Province. The area is strategically significant due to its proximity to the Lipulekh Pass, a low-altitude pass connecting India and China, and is a point of contention in the Indo-Nepal border dispute.

The dispute stems from differing interpretations of historical maps and treaties, particularly the Treaty of Sugauli signed in 1816 between the East India Company and Nepal. The treaty defined Nepal's western border as the Mahakali River. Both countries agree that the Mahakali River is the border, but disagree on the location of the river's origin, which determines the extent of the territory each country controls.

India claims that the river originates from the Kalapani spring, effectively placing the entire area of Kaalapani within its borders. Nepal, on the other hand, claims that the river originates further north and west, at the source of the Limpiyadhura River, thus including Kaalapani within Nepalese territory.

The issue has persisted for decades, resurfacing periodically in political discourse and diplomatic relations between the two nations. Increased road construction and infrastructure development by India in the region have further heightened tensions. Negotiations between India and Nepal are ongoing to resolve the border dispute through diplomatic channels and map verification.