Kailash Mansarovar Yatra: Nepal expressed objection on Lipulekh route, India gave a befitting reply with evidence.

New Delhi, 4 May. Nepal has expressed objection to the plan to conduct the upcoming Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lipulekh Pass. Nepal claims that this area belongs to it. In response, India says that such claims are neither justified nor based on historical facts and evidence. Lipulekh Pass has been the route of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra since 1954. India is ready for constructive dialogue with Nepal on all issues including pending border issues.

Nepal’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that there was no consultation with (China and India) before finalizing this pilgrimage route. Nepal’s objection to the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra comes just days after India announced that the yatra would be organized between June and August. Nepal’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement released on the internet media, “The stand of the Government of Nepal is clear and it firmly stands by its stand that Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani, located east of the Mahakali River, are its inalienable territories on the basis of the Sugauli Treaty of 1816.”

According to the statement, the Government of Nepal has reiterated its clear stand to both India and China regarding the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra to be conducted through Nepalese territory (Lipulekh). Even before this, the Government of Nepal had requested the Government of India not to carry out activities like road construction, expansion, border trade and pilgrimage in this area. Nepal government has also informed China about this. It is noteworthy that Nepal claims that Lipulekh and Kalapani are its territories, while India says that these areas come under its jurisdiction.