India-Nepal tension rises over Lipulekh route
ow erupts over Kailash Mansarovar route via Lipulekh Pass
New Delhi | Desk: The long-standing border dispute between India and Nepal regarding the Lipulekh Pass has flared up once again. On Sunday, the Government of India categorically rejected the territorial claims made by Nepal over the Lipulekh Pass, terming them "untenable and contrary to historical facts."
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs explicitly stated that such a "unilateral and artificial expansion" of its territorial boundaries by Nepal is unacceptable under any circumstances.
This fresh controversy erupted when the Government of Nepal raised objections to plans by India and China to utilize the Lipulekh route for the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage. Nepal asserts that, based on the 1816 Treaty of Sugauli, Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani constitute part of its territory.
In a statement released on social media, Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that Kathmandu was not consulted before the designation of this route.
In response, the spokesperson for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs clarified that the Lipulekh Pass has served as an established route for the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage since 1954, and devotees have been utilizing this path for decades. India stated in unequivocal terms that its stance on this matter has consistently remained "consistent and clear."
However, despite the strong rhetoric, India has not closed the door to diplomacy. The Ministry of External Affairs affirmed that India remains committed to resolving all bilateral issues and border disputes with Nepal through mutual dialogue and constructive engagement.
It is pertinent to note that these tensions had reached a peak in 2020, when the then K.P. Sharma Oli government incorporated these disputed territories into Nepal's official map, a move that drew strong condemnation from India. Currently, the tension that has emerged between the two nations over the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage remains a prominent topic of discussion within the regional politics of South Asia.
Notably, Lipulekh Pass is a significant and historic mountain pass situated in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, located at the trijunction of India (Kumaon region), China (Tibet), and Nepal. Situated at an altitude of approximately 5,334 meters (17,500 feet), it serves as a primary route for the Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage from India, as well as a hub for India-China trade.
It connects Uttarakhand in India to Taklakot (Purang) in Tibet. Opened for trade with China in 1992, it was the first Indian border post to be established for this purpose. This pass is utilized specifically for the pilgrimage to Kailash-Mansarovar, a site held sacred by Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains.
The pass remains open for cross-border trade annually from June to September.
As the pass is situated at the trijunction of India, Nepal, and China, it has also been at the center of a border dispute between India and Nepal; however, India maintains administrative control over this region.
In 2020, India constructed an 80-kilometer-long motorable road leading up to the pass, an infrastructure project deemed to be of immense strategic importance to the Indian Army.
