Nepal, May 31 -- "It might surprise you, but India hasn't just encroached on Nepal's land; Nepal has also encroached on India's land in many places." - Prime Minister Balendra Shah in Parliament on Sunday.

Nepal has never encroached upon Indian territory, nor has it altered borders. However, at certain border points, there are instances of cross-holding occupation (cross-border cultivation and possession) on actively tilled agricultural lands.

This implies that while Indian actors have occupied and asserted control over lands belonging to Nepali farmers, Nepali farmers have similarly cultivated and occupied agricultural plots belonging to Indian farmers. This phenomenon is technically defined as cross-holding occupation.

Take, for inst...