Socialist Front objects to deal to reopen Lipulek Pass for trade

Kathmandu, Aug. 22

The Socialist Front Nepal has condemned the recent agreement between India and China to open the Lipulek Pass for bilateral trade.

The Front in a statement on Friday expressed serious concern, stating that the agreement is a grave violation of Nepal's sovereign rights and territorial integrity.

In the statement signed by prominent leaders, including Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda,' Madhav Kumar Nepal, Netra Bikram Chand 'Biplav,' and Mahendra Ray Yadav, the Front highlighted that the Lipulek, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani regions are an integral part of Nepal's territory.

The statement asserted that the area has historically been under encroachment by the Indian side for a considerable period, and Nepal has not been able to make the necessary diplomatic efforts to reclaim the land. “The recent agreement between India and China has solidified this encroachment and further jeopardised Nepal's sovereignty,” read the statement.

The Socialist Front has declared its strong opposition and disagreement with the agreement, calling on the government of Nepal to initiate diplomatic efforts to reclaim its territory.

It has also urged the government to provide factual information to the public regarding the issue and to take concrete steps to protest the agreement and ensure the return of the Nepali land.

During a recent visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to India earlier this week, the two big neighbours signed a pact to reopen the Lipulek Pass for bilateral trade.

Earlier, in 2015, the two neighbours of Nepal had agreed to open the Pass which lies in Nepal’s territory at the border with China. It was closed following the clash between them at Laddakh in 2020.  

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 23 August 2025.