The long-standing border dispute between Nepal and India has resurfaced following India’s preparations to use the Lipulekh Pass for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. The Nepali government has formally issued a diplomatic ‘Protest Note’ to both India and China, asserting that the Lipulekh region falls within its sovereign territory. The government in Nepal maintains that according to the 1816 Treaty of Sugauli, the areas of Limpiyadhura, Kalapani, and Lipulekh belong to Nepal, and therefore, any unilateral activity or infrastructure development in these zones is unacceptable.
In a sharp rebuttal, India has dismissed Nepal’s claims as baseless and contrary to historical facts. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified that the Lipulekh Pass has been a traditional and established route for the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage since 1954. India emphasized that Nepal’s recent territorial assertions are an “artificial enlargement” of claims that lack historical evidence or legal justification. While rejecting the protest, India noted that it remains committed to discussing border-related issues with Nepal through established diplomatic channels and constructive dialogue.
