India has sharply rebuffed Nepal’s objections to the resumption of India-China border trade through the Lipulekh Pass, labeling Kathmandu’s territorial claims over the Kalapani-Lipulekh-Limpiyadhura region as “unjustified, untenable, and not supported by historical facts.” The rebuttal follows Nepal’s Foreign Ministry statement opposing the trade route, which it insists lies within its borders, as formalized in its 2020 constitutional map amendment.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India’s stance, stating that trade through Lipulekh Pass, operational since 1954, was disrupted by Covid-19 and other factors but is now set to resume following agreements reached during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to New Delhi. Discussions with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed the reopening of three trade points: Lipulekh, Shipki La, and Nathu La. Jaiswal called Nepal’s claims an “artificial enlargement” of territory, emphasizing India’s openness to resolving boundary disputes through dialogue.
Nepal’s Foreign Ministry, led by spokesperson Lok Bahadur Chhetri, insisted that Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura are “inseparable parts” of Nepal, citing historical treaties and its updated map. Kathmandu has repeatedly urged India to halt infrastructure projects, including roads and trade activities, in the disputed area, and claims to have informed China of its position. “Nepal is committed to resolving this through diplomatic channels based on historical evidence,” Chhetri stated.
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The dispute traces back to the 1816 Sugauli Treaty, with Nepal arguing the Mahakali River’s source defines its border, placing the contested areas within its territory, while India asserts they fall under Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district. The issue escalated in 2020 when Nepal updated its map, prompting India to call it a “unilateral act.” Tensions have simmered since, with Nepal’s 1,850-km border with India—spanning Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand—remaining a flashpoint.
Posts on X reflect divided sentiments, with some Nepalese users decrying India’s “expansionist” stance, while others in India argue Nepal’s claims lack historical basis. As diplomatic talks loom, the Lipulekh trade resumption underscores the delicate balance of India’s relations with both Nepal and China, with potential implications for regional stability.
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