Foreign Minister Khanaal Raises Kalapani, Limpiyadhura, Lipulek Issues with Chinese Counterpart

Kathmandu. Foreign Minister Shishir Khanaal, who is on a visit to China, has raised the issue of Kalapani, Limpiyadhura, and Lipulek. In a bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Minister Khanaal expressed interest in the agreement between India and China regarding Lipulek. Minister Khanaal reminded his Chinese counterpart Yi that these territories belong to Nepal and expressed interest in the agreement between China and India regarding the use of the Lipulek route for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and trade. He also recalled sending diplomatic notes to both India and China regarding Lipulek. However, Minister Khanaal did not raise the issue of Lipulek during his visit to India. During his visit to India, he held a bilateral meeting with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar. Although both sides issued statements after the meeting, Kalapani, Lipulek, and Limpiyadhura were not mentioned. It is reported that Minister Khanaal raised the issue of Kalapani, Lipulek, and Limpiyadhura with interest during his visit to China. According to an official from the Nepali Embassy in China, when Minister Khanaal raised the issue of the agreement between India and China regarding Lipulek, Chinese Foreign Minister Yi responded by saying, 'This is an India-Nepal matter, and it should be resolved through dialogue and discussion.' Following this, Minister Khanaal inquired, 'What is the agreement between China and India on this matter?' In response, China reiterated its stance of resolving the issue through talks and dialogue. Relations between India and Nepal had soured following the agreement between India and China on the Lipulek issue. Relations between the two countries improved after the visit of Chairman of Rastriya Swatantra Party Rabi Lamichhane and Foreign Minister Khanaal to India. After the agreement between India and China on the Lipulek issue, Nepal objected and issued a press release. Although India did not mention Lipulek, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura, it stated that border-related disputes would be resolved through diplomatic dialogue. After returning from India, Chairman Lamichhane expressed the view that border disputes are not resolved by beating drums but through diplomatic dialogue. This is the first visit of Foreign Minister Khanaal to China since the formation of the government under the leadership of Rastra Swatantra Party. During this visit, Minister Khanaal raised the issue of Lipulek. After the agreement between India and China on the Lipulek issue, Nepal objected and issued a press release. Nepal also sent diplomatic notes to both countries, but India and China are using the Lipulek route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Both countries continue the journey. During the discussion between Foreign Minister Khanaal and Chinese Foreign Minister Yi, the issue of corruption at Pokhara Airport was also raised. According to sources from the Nepali Embassy in China, Chinese Foreign Minister Yi inquired about the corruption issue at Pokhara Airport and what was being done about it. In response, Minister Khanaal clarified that a judicial investigation is underway and the Nepali government is studying the matter. He also committed to taking action against those responsible. After the meeting, the statement issued by China mentioned that Foreign Minister Khanaal said that Nepal-China friendship is thousands of years old and has been strengthening with time. Minister Khanaal also clarified that Nepal's territory would not be used for any activities against China. Minister Khanaal stated that Nepal is firm on the One-China policy and fully supports China's unification. He clarified that Taiwan and Tibet are internal affairs of China and Nepal stands in favor of the One-China policy. Foreign Minister Yi's proposal to participate in the Global Security Initiatives (GSI) was rejected by Minister Khanaal, who stated that Nepal believes in a non-aligned foreign policy and therefore cannot participate. During the bilateral meeting, Chinese Foreign Minister Yi expressed the possibility of providing chemical fertilizers to Nepal. Sources indicate that China is ready to provide as much fertilizer as Nepal needs, but Nepal needs to take the initiative. During his visit to India, India also committed to providing chemical fertilizers to Nepal. A G2G agreement has also been signed with India regarding chemical fertilizers. Discussions were also held between the two sides on information technology, gas exploration, connectivity, and infrastructure investment.