Kathmandu, May 3
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) reiterated
on Sunday evening that Limpiyadhura, Lipulek and Kalapani, located east of the
Mahakali River, are integral parts of Nepal, as established by the Treaty of
Sugauli of 1816.
The Ministry issued a statement responding
to the proposed operation of the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage route via
Lipulek – passing through Nepali territory – between India and China.
The government has clarified Nepal's
position responding to the queries and concerns raised by media and general
people many of whom took to social media demanding government's statement on
the recent development that undermined Nepal's sovereignty.
"The Government of Nepal has once
again conveyed its clear position and concerns regarding the proposed Kailash
Mansarovar pilgrimage route via Lipulek to both India and China through
diplomatic channels," read the statement.
The government has urged India, in the
past, not to undertake any activities in the area, including the construction
or expansion of roads, border trade, or pilgrimage-related activities.
The MoFA also said that Nepal has formally
informed China that the Lipulek area lies within Nepali territory.
It stated that in line with the spirit of
the close and friendly relations between Nepal and India, Nepal remains
committed to resolving the boundary issue through diplomatic means, on the
basis of historical treaties, facts, maps and evidence.
According to previous foreign ministers, although
the government had sent diplomatic notes to both India and China they did not
respond to them.
Althought he 2016 Sugauli Treaty
established the Mahakali river as Nepal's western boundary, following its war
with China in 1962, India stationed its security forces in Kalapani. Nepal
delayed objections to it enabled India to enhance infrastructure and
accessibility to the northern border with China.
Although India had been claiming the Nepali territory since
early 1950s, Nepal formally asked India to remove the Kalapani area from its
map after the latter did so in November 2019.
In November 2019, India released a new map
showing Kalapani, Lipulek and Limpiyadhura within its territory. Nepal strongly
protested and sought a talk with India but the latter turned deaf ears to it.
Next year, in May, India constructed an
80-km road connecting Dharchula and Lipulek pass, a Nepal-China border point.
Nepal immediately protested and sent a diplomatic note to India demanding a
halt to the unilateral action in its territory. The Kalapani area including
Limpiyadhura and Lipulek covers about 350 square km.
Earlier, in 2015, when India and China
signed an agreement to expand their bilateral trade through the Lipulek pass
during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to China, Nepal registered a
formal protest stating that the two neighbours consented on using Nepali
territory without seeking consent of the latter.
The road was inaugurated by Indian defense
minister is used for strategic movement of military forces. Lipulek, located at
17,000 feet altitude, is a strategic location and main entry to the Mansarovar
while a nearby Tinker Bhanjyang (pass) is a historic trade routh with touristic
and strategic importance.
India has long been averting to accept the
report of the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) on Nepal-India Relations for the past
several years. The Group was mandated, by both Nepal and India, to review the
entire relations between the two countries, including 1950 India-Nepal Treaty
of Peace and Friendship.
In response to Nepal's stand on the issue,
the Ministry of External Affairs of India said on Sunday evening that India has
consistently maintained that such claims are not justified and not based on
historical evidence.
“India’s position in this regard had been
consistent and clear. Lipulek Pass has been a long-standing route for the
Kailash Manasarovar Yatra since 1954 and the Yatra through this route has been
going on for decades. This is not a new development," read a statement
issued by MEA Spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal.
However, the MEA said that India remained
open to a constructive interaction with Nepal on resolving agreed outstanding
boundary issues through dialogue and diplomacy.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 4 May 2026.
No comments:
Post a Comment