The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that Lipulekh is an integral part of Nepal.
In a press release issued on Wednesday, the ministry stated that the area has already been included in the official map of Nepal incorporated in the Constitution, and that the Nepal government is clear on the fact that Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani east of the Mahakali River are integral parts of Nepal as shown in that map.
The ministry has reminded and urged the Indian government not to carry out any activities such as road construction/expansion or border trade in that area.
“It is also known that the friendly nation of China has been informed that the area is Nepali territory,” the ministry’s statement added.
The ministry also said that the Nepal government is committed to resolving the border issues between the two countries through diplomatic channels.
"The Government of Nepal has remained committed to resolving the border issues between the two countries through diplomatic means, based on historical treaties and agreements, facts, maps, and evidence, in keeping with the spirit and sentiment of the close and friendly relations that have existed between Nepal and India," the press release said.
The Foreign Ministry issued the statement after India and China reached an agreement to reopen a trade route passing through the Nepali territory of Lipulekh.
The two countries agreed to reopen the Lipulekh pass for trade during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to India earlier this week. Wang arrived in New Delhi at the invitation of Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
This development is likely to reignite the dispute over the Lipulekh pass.
During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China in 2015, an agreement was reached to open the Lipulekh pass for trade. Nepal objected to the agreement by sending a diplomatic note.
Since then, India has continued to develop trade routes through Nepali territory.
On November 2, 2019, India included Nepal’s Kalapani area in its map while depicting Jammu and Kashmir as part of its territory, giving rise to a dispute between the two countries.
In May 2020, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a road through Lipulekh to Mansarovar in China.
On May 11, 2020, then-Nepali Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali summoned Indian Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra to the ministry and handed over a diplomatic note.
Subsequently, on May 20, 2020, Nepal issued an updated map that included the Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani areas.
After China issued a map showing the Lipulekh area as part of India on September 1, 2023, Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated through a press release that “Nepal’s map should be respected by its neighbors and the international community.”
India and China, having grown closer following increased tariffs imposed by the United States on India, have agreed to resume trade through Nepal’s territory via the Lipulekh pass.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has also issued a statement on this matter, terming Nepal's claim as artificial and unilateral.
Issuing a statement on Wednesday itself, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India's Ministry of External Affairs, refuted Nepal’s claim over Lipulekh, stating that border trade between India and China through Lipulekh pass had begun in 1954.
“We have noted the comments of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal related to resumption of border trade between India and China through the Lipulekh Pass,” the statement issued by Jaiswal said. “Our position in this regard has been consistent and clear. Border trade between India and China through Lipulekh pass had commenced in 1954 and has been going on for decades. This trade had been disrupted in recent years due to Covid and other developments, and both sides have now agreed to resume it.”
It also said that Nepal’s claim is not based on historical facts and evidence.
“As regards territorial claims, our position remains that such claims are neither justified nor based on historical facts and evidence. Any unilateral artificial enlargement of territorial claims is untenable,” the statement said, adding, “India remains open to constructive interaction with Nepal on resolving agreed outstanding boundary issues through dialogue and diplomacy.”
