Prakash Kafle / Kathmandu: Following the recent India–China trade agreement via Lipulekh, nationalist sentiments have resurfaced in Nepal. In response, Deepak Joshi, president of the Free Students Union (FSU) at Tribhuvan University’s Central Campus, placed a map of “Greater Nepal” in his office, bringing discussions on nationalism and development back into focus. Hailing from Darchula, Joshi said he took this step to support the nationalist message initiated by Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah, who had displayed the “Greater Nepal” map in his office shortly after assuming office.
Joshi emphasized that although there is no doubt that areas like Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura are integral parts of Nepal, local residents have not yet fully felt the state’s presence. He also expressed concern over the lack of roads and basic infrastructure in remote parts of the far-western region.
Highlighting that the slogan “Far West is no longer far” has yet to be fully implemented in practice, Joshi described his action not as symbolic nationalism, but as an effort to hold the state accountable.
It is worth noting that Mayor Balen Shah’s earlier decision to display the pre-Sugauli Treaty map of “Greater Nepal” in his office had generated discussion at both national and international levels. However, after becoming Prime Minister, Shah delayed placing the map in his own office, prompting Joshi to take the initiative himself.
