Nepal reaffirms Claim to Lipulekh, Kalapani Amidst India-China Trade route Concerns
Pokhara, Nepal – Nepal’s government reiterated its claim to the disputed territories of Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani, asserting these areas are integral parts of Nepali land, following the announcement of a trade route agreement between India and China that passes near the contested region. The statement came as Nepali lawmakers called for the cancellation of the India-China agreement and urged Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to raise the issue strongly during his upcoming visit to India.Minister for Communication and Details Technology and government spokesperson Prithvi Subba Gurung, speaking at a press conference organized by Press Chautari-Kaski in Pokhara, emphasized Nepal’s consistent position on the matter. “Lipulekh is Nepali territory and Nepal has not shifted from its stance,” Gurung stated. He further accused India of occupying Nepali land in Kalapani, Darchula, and asserted the issue would be resolved through diplomatic channels.
“there is factual evidence proving that Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani belong to Nepal,” Gurung added. He criticized the construction of corridors and roads through Nepali territory under the guise of trade between India and china, stating, “In the name of trade between two countries, corridors and roads cannot be built through Nepali territory. this issue has now reached the diplomatic level between the two nations.” He underscored the need for dialog, dismissing the possibility of a military solution: “The solution should come through dialogue. We cannot imagine resolving it through a war.”
The recent India-China agreement, which aims to facilitate trade through a new route connecting the two countries, has sparked notable concern in Nepal.The route passes near Lipulekh, a strategically crucial pass claimed by both Nepal and India. Nepal officially released a new map in June 2020 incorporating the disputed territories, a move that heightened tensions with India.
The dispute over Kalapani has its roots in differing interpretations of the 1816 Treaty of Sugauli between Nepal and the British East India Company. Nepal claims the territory east of the Kali River up to the source belongs to it,while India asserts the river’s course has shifted over time,placing the area within Indian control. Lipulekh and limpiyadhura are located within this contested region.
On Friday, members of Parliament voiced their concerns during parliamentary sessions. Lawmakers including Ghanashyam Rijal, padam Bahadur Bishwakarma, Manarupa Sharma, Rukmini Koirala, and Renu Chand demanded the cancellation of the India-China trade agreement and a firm stance from prime Minister Oli during his planned visit to India.Lawmakers in the House of Representatives echoed these demands, urging the government to initiate talks with both India and china to find a resolution.
The situation remains sensitive, with nepal seeking a diplomatic solution to the long-standing border dispute and expressing its concerns over the potential impact of the India-China trade route on its territorial integrity. The upcoming visit by Prime Minister Oli to India is seen as a crucial opportunity to address these concerns directly.
