Nepal protests Lipulekh dispute as India, China ignore it

The Kathmandu Post views the reopening of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra via Lipulekh Pass as a blatant disregard for Nepal's sovereignty by India and China. This trijunction, which Nepal claims under the 1816 Sugauli Treaty, is being unilaterally decided upon by New Delhi and Beijing, sidelining Kathmandu's legitimate concerns. The current government, elected with a strong mandate, has actively pursued diplomatic channels, sending notes and raising the issue in high-level meetings, yet its pleas for dialogue and respect for its territorial integrity have fallen on deaf ears.

Our position, as articulated by Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal, is unequivocal: the dispute must be resolved through talks. The Boundary Working Group has continued its work in undisputed areas, but the core issues of Kalapani and Susta remain unresolved. The failure to address these disputes, particularly after the 2020 constitutional amendment incorporating the new map, highlights a persistent lack of political will from India to engage constructively. The issue has become over-politicized, as Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar noted, but this politicization is a consequence of the unresolved claims and the lack of genuine dialogue.

From Nepal's perspective, this is not merely a border dispute; it is a matter of national pride and territorial integrity. The inclusion of Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani in our constitution and national emblem was a clear assertion of our sovereign rights. India's previous advice against this, and its subsequent hardening of position, suggests a reluctance to acknowledge Nepal's claims. The international community, often focused on larger geopolitical narratives, may overlook the significance of these smaller, yet deeply felt, territorial assertions. For Nepal, however, these are integral parts of our nation, and their control is non-negotiable.

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Our position is clear — it should be resolved through talks. On disputed issues, we want to resolve these through the established diplomatic mechanism.