The old border dispute between India and Nepal regarding Lipulekh Pass has once again heated up in diplomatic circles. Nepal Government has officially registered its objection to the proposed ‘Kailash Mansarovar Yatra’ through Lipulekh route in Uttarakhand. In this regard, Nepal has claimed its territorial sovereignty by sending diplomatic notes to both India and China. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has given its reply after Nepal raised objection on this route. He said that this route belongs to India since 1954.
The latest reason for controversy is India’s announcement to start pilgrimage through Lipulekh pass. Nepal’s Foreign Ministry has taken a strong stand and clarified that under the historical provisions of the Sugauli Treaty of 1816, Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura are its integral parts. This objection of Nepal has once again intensified the diplomatic tussle in this strategically important tri-junction area.
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Nepal’s tough stance
Nepal’s Foreign Ministry has shared its statement on the Lipulekh case on social media platforms. He wrote in his statement, ‘The government of Nepal has taken notice of the news of conducting Kailash Mansarovar Yatra between India and China through Lipulekh through Nepal’s land and has raised questions on it. According to the Sugauli Treaty of 1816, the areas east of the Mahakali River, Lipiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani are parts of Nepal. The Nepal government considers its stand on this clear and strong. The Nepal government has already expressed its objection and concern diplomatically to both India and China on the issue of traveling through Lipulekh.
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Nepal’s Foreign Ministry further wrote, ‘The Government of Nepal has earlier also asked India not to carry out any activity like road construction, expansion, border trade or pilgrimage in that area. Nepal has also officially told its friendly country China that Lipulekh region is a part of Nepal. Keeping in mind the good relations between Nepal and India, the Government of Nepal is committed to resolve the border dispute through negotiations (diplomatic method) on the basis of history, facts, maps and evidence.
India’s Foreign Ministry blunt answer
Responding to Nepal’s objection, India’s Foreign Ministry has described its position as stable and clear. India bluntly said that the Lipulekh route has been a traditional part of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra for decades and has been in continuous use since 1954. India has rejected Nepal’s territorial claims, calling them beyond historical facts and ‘artificial expansion’. Delhi believes that such unilateral claims regarding borders are not acceptable at the international level.
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Despite harsh rhetoric, both the countries have not closed the avenues of dialogue. Nepal has expressed its desire for a peaceful solution by appealing to India to stop road construction and other activities in the disputed area. At the same time, India has also made it clear that it is always ready to resolve all pending border issues with Nepal through diplomatic dialogue and mutual understanding. At present, the stir on May 4 has increased further due to both the sides being adamant on their respective stances.
What is the Lipulekh controversy?
Nepal claims that all the areas falling on the eastern side of the Mahakali River, such as Limpiyadhura, Kalapani and Lipulekh, are its territories. Nepal justifies this claim on the basis of the Sugauli Treaty of 1816. Lipulekh is an area located near north-western Nepal, which falls near the border of India, Nepal and China. India says that this entire area is part of Uttarakhand.
In November 2019, when India divided Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories and released a new map, these areas were shown as part of India. After this, Nepal expressed strong objection to this and said that Kalapani is its territory, hence India should change its map.
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After this the tension between the two countries increased. Especially in May 2020, a big controversy arose again regarding Lipulekh, when India started a road-related project in this area. Amidst this tension, on June 18, 2020, Nepal amended its constitution and released a new political map of the country. In this new map, Nepal has shown Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura as its part.
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