Nepal Issues Statement on Lipulekh Territory After India's Kailash Mansarovar Announcement

Kathmandu. The government led by Balendra (Balen) Shah, which remained silent even after India announced the operation of the Kailash Mansarovar yatra via Nepali territory Lipulekh, has finally made its formal stance public. After Ratopati raised questions about the government's silence on Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement clarifying that the Lipulekh region is an integral part of Nepal. A commotion occurred at the ministry after the news was published on Ratopati on Sunday evening at 5 PM. Three hours later, the ministry released a 6-point statement, making the government's formal stance public.

The ministry stated that according to the Sugauli Treaty of 1816, the areas east of the Mahakali River, including Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani, are Nepali territory, and the government remains firm on this. The statement reads, 'Nepal has once again informed both India and China of its clear stance regarding the yatra planned via Nepali territory Lipulekh.' The Foreign Ministry has also clarified that it has been continuously urging India not to engage in any activities such as road construction, trade, or pilgrimage in the said area and has officially informed China about this as well.

India's Ministry of External Affairs had announced on April 30 that it would facilitate the Mansarovar yatra via the Lipulekh pass and Sikkim's Nathula pass from June to August 2026, in coordination with China. India plans to take a total of 1,000 pilgrims, 500 via the Lipulekh route and 500 via Nathula. Concerns were expressed in diplomatic circles about Nepal not being included in these processes and not even being informed, despite agreements between India and China on the use of Nepali territory in 2015 and most recently in August 2025 during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to India.

Commenting on the government's silence, former Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali told Ratopati, 'In the past, when border disputes arose, the government used to speak clearly, but the current government's silence seems to further strengthen border encroachment.' Similarly, former Ambassador to India, Nilambar Acharya, emphasized that Nepal must clearly communicate to its neighbors through diplomatic channels that Nepali territory cannot be used without Nepal's consent. Former Ambassador to China, Tanka Karki, also suggested engaging in diplomatic dialogue based on evidence rather than stunts and raising this issue during Prime Minister Balen Shah's upcoming visit to India. Border expert Buddhinarayan Shrestha stated that this problem has escalated due to Nepal's lax diplomacy.

लिपुलेक र नाथुला नाका हुँदै कैलाश मानसरोवर यात्रा गराउँदै भारत, अनलाइन आवेदन खुला

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