- Nepal’s government is uncertain if it holds original copies of the 1816 Sugauli Treaty and the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship.
- Frequent office relocations and weak coordination have risked misplacing records vital for resolving border disputes and managing international relations.
- Authorities are now prioritizing the digitization of archives and constructing a permanent ministry building to ensure secure and organized document storage.
Kathmandu, Nepal: The government of Nepal has admitted it is not certain whether it holds the original copies of two of its most important historical treaties—the 1816 Treaty of Sugauli and the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship with India. The statement has sparked concern about how the country manages its most critical historical records.
Speaking in Parliament on Monday, Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal said that while some documents related to these treaties are kept at the National Archives, the government cannot clearly confirm whether they are the official, original versions. In simple terms, Nepal may have copies—but it is not sure if they are the real, authenticated documents.
This has raised eyebrows because these treaties are not just old papers—they are central to Nepal’s borders, diplomacy, and relations with neighboring countries. The Treaty of Sugauli, for example, defines much of Nepal’s current boundary and is directly linked to the ongoing Lipulekh–Limpiyadhura border dispute with India.
The issue has become more sensitive after the Prime Minister recently mentioned that Nepal is in communication with the United Kingdom regarding the border dispute. Since the Sugauli Treaty was signed with British India, having clear and verified documents would be crucial in any such discussions. The current uncertainty, however, makes Nepal’s position appear less prepared.
Lawmakers have also pointed to another problem: the Foreign Ministry itself has not had a stable home. Over the past two decades, it has been moved from one building to another multiple times. This has increased the risk of important documents being misplaced, damaged, or even lost.
The government says it is working to improve the situation. According to Minister Khanal, efforts are underway to locate, verify, digitize, and safely store important records. A separate unit has also been set up to manage archives. Still, the fact that such uncertainty exists today suggests that these efforts are either recent or not yet fully effective.
Nepal does have laws that clearly assign responsibility for managing treaties and archives. But in practice, coordination between institutions appears weak. Out of more than 650 treaties Nepal has signed, only a small number have been properly reviewed or updated.
The government has also announced plans to build a permanent office for the Foreign Ministry, hoping it will improve organization and record-keeping. However, experts say the real issue is not just buildings—it is systems. Without proper documentation, verification, and digital records, even a new building will not solve the problem.
In the end, this is about more than missing documents. It reflects a deeper issue—how well the state preserves its own history. When it comes to matters like borders and international relations, not having clear and reliable records can weaken a country’s position.
For Nepal, the message is clear: protecting its historical documents is not just about the past—it is essential for handling the present and securing the future.
