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India Rejects Nepal's Lipulekh Claims as Unjustified

India has rejected Nepal's recent territorial claims over the Lipulekh Pass, terming them "untenable" and not based on historical facts. MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified that the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lipulekh has been ongoing since 1954 and is not a new development. He stated that India remains open to constructive dialogue with Nepal on all bilateral issues, including resolving agreed outstanding boundary issues. This follows Nepal's diplomatic notes to India and China objecting to the pilgrimage route, and a 2020 map revision by Nepal that included Indian territories.

Key Points: India Rejects Nepal's Claims on Lipulekh Pass

  • India rejects Nepal's territorial claims on Lipulekh Pass
  • Claims called "untenable" and not based on facts
  • Kailash Mansarovar Yatra route via Lipulekh continues since 1954
  • India open to dialogue on outstanding boundary issues
2 min read

"Enlargement of territorial claims untenable": India rejects Nepal's claims on Lipulekh

India rejects Nepal's territorial claims on Lipulekh Pass, calling them "untenable" and reaffirming the route for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

"Such unilateral artificial enlargement of territorial claims is untenable. - Randhir Jaiswal"

New Delhi, May 4

India on Sunday rejected Nepal's recent territorial claims over Lipulekh Pass terming the unilateral artificial enlargement as "untenable" as Kathmandu objected to Kailash Mansarovar route being undertaken through the region.

MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in response to media queries regarding comments made by the Foreign Ministry of Nepal on the border issue in the context of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra that India's position in this regard had been consistent and clear.

"Lipulekh Pass has been a long-standing route for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra since 1954, and the Yatra through this route has been going on for decades. This is not a new development", he said.

Jaiswal further said that with regards territorial claims, India has consistently maintained that such claims are neither justified nor based on historical facts and evidence. "Such unilateral artificial enlargement of territorial claims is untenable."

He said that India remains open to constructive interaction with Nepal on all issues of the bilateral ties.

"India remains open to a constructive interaction with Nepal on all issues in the bilateral relationship, including on resolving agreed outstanding boundary issues through dialogue and diplomacy", Jaiswal said.

This comes after the Government of Nepal had sent diplomatic notes to India and China over the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage via Lipulekh, stating formal objection over the plan.

Back in May 20, 2020, under KP Sharma Oli-led government, Nepal issued a new map incorporating Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani through a constitutional amendment.

India had firmly rejected the Nepal move and said Nepal government has released a revised official map that includes parts of Indian territory.

"This unilateral act is not based on historical facts and evidence. It is contrary to the bilateral understanding to resolve the outstanding boundary issues through diplomatic dialogue. Such artificial enlargement of territorial claims will not be accepted by India," India's Ministry of External Affairs had earlier stated.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
I understand Nepal's concerns about sovereignty, but they're ignoring history. Our pilgrims have been going through Lipulekh since 1954—that's 70 years! Nepal should focus on dialogue, not pushing maps. India has always been open to talks.
V
Vikram M
Why does Nepal keep raising this every few years? It's like they want to create tension unnecessarily. The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is a sacred journey, and India should continue facilitating it without any disruption. Nepal should respect bilateral agreements. 🇮🇳
A
Ananya R
I wish both countries could sit down and resolve this amicably. We share such deep cultural and historical bonds—there's no need for these public spats. But India's position is legally sound. Hope diplomacy prevails over posturing.
R
Rohit P
Nepal's 2020 map was a joke—including Lipulekh and Kalapani as their territory? 😂 They need to check historical records. India has been consistent and patient, but this repeated 'objection' is getting old. Focus on your domestic challenges, Kathmandu.
J
James A
From an outsider's perspective, India seems reasonable here—offering dialogue, relying on historical usage. Nepal's claims appear more about domestic politics than genuine territorial dispute. Hope both sides resolve this without further escalation.
K

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