Nepal stirs row with India, objects to Kailash Mansarovar yatra via Lipulekh; MEA replies

Nepal connected Sunday objected to India and China readying to behaviour the upcoming Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lipulekh Pass, claiming that the way passes done Kathmandu's territory.In a connection issued by the overseas affairs ministry, Kathmandu said it was not consulted earlier the pilgrimage way was finalised and reiterated its long-standing presumption connected the disputed region."The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken enactment of questions and concerns raised by assorted media outlets regarding the projected Kailash Mansarovar Yatra to beryllium operated betwixt India and China via Nepalese territory successful Lipulekh," the connection read.It added, "The Government of Nepal is afloat wide and firmly stands by the information that Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani eastbound of the Mahakali River are integral parts of Nepal, based connected the 1816 Treaty of Sugauli."

The Himalayan Kingdom further asserted that it has conveyed its presumption to some India and China done diplomatic channels regarding the projected pilgrimage way via Lipulekh.According to the statement, Nepal has antecedently urged India not to undertake immoderate enactment successful the area. "Earlier arsenic well, the Government of Nepal has continuously urged the Government of India not to undertake immoderate activities specified arsenic roadworthy operation oregon expansion, borderline trade, oregon pilgrimage operations successful the said area."

It added that China has besides been formally informed that the Lipulekh portion is claimed arsenic Nepali territory.Reaffirming its stance, Nepal said it remains committed to resolving bound issues done diplomatic means successful the tone of affable relations with India."In enactment with the tone of the adjacent and affable relations betwixt Nepal and India, the Government of Nepal remains committed to resolving bound issues done diplomatic means based connected humanities treaties, facts, maps, and evidence."

India rejects Nepal’s territorial claim

Responding to Nepal’s objection implicit the projected Kailash Mansarovar Yatra way via Lipulekh Pass, outer affairs ministry said that India's presumption connected the substance remains 'consistent and clear,' asserting that the way has been successful usage for decades.MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "India’s presumption successful this respect had been accordant and clear. Lipulekh Pass has been a agelong lasting way for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra since 1954 and the Yatra done this way has been going connected for decades.

This is not a caller development."

He further added, "As regards territorial claims, India has consistently maintained that specified claims are neither justified nor based connected humanities facts and evidence. Such unilateral artificial enlargement of territorial claims is untenable." Jaiswal besides said that India remains unfastened to dialog with Nepal connected outstanding bound issues. "India remains unfastened to a constructive enactment with Nepal connected each issues successful the bilateral relationship, including connected resolving agreed outstanding bound issues done dialog and diplomacy," helium said. Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, organised by outer affairs ministry successful coordination with Chinese authorities volition instrumentality spot from June to Aug 2026. The Yatra had been reopened by China past twelvemonth amid signs of betterment successful bilateral ties, pursuing completion of the unit disengagement process successful eastbound Ladakh.