The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reiterated that Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani are integral parts of Nepal and has consistently urged the Indian government to refrain from any activities like road construction, expansion, or border trade in these areas.
Responding to media queries about India-China border trade via Nepali territory in Lipulekh, the Ministry issued a three-point statement. It mentioned that both India and China have been officially informed about these territories, which are included in the updated official map of Nepal.
The first point of the statement asserts that the Nepal government is clear on the fact that its constitution incorporates the official map showing these areas east of the Mahakali River as integral parts of Nepal.
The second point clarifies Nepal’s stance, noting that the government has persistently requested India not to undertake any construction or border trade activities in the area. It also states that friendly nation China has been informed that this is Nepali territory.
The third point emphasizes Nepal’s commitment to resolving this issue through diplomatic channels based on historical treaties, facts, maps, and evidence, in keeping with the close and friendly Nepal-India relationship.
This comes at a time when Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, on a two-day visit to India, reached an agreement with Indian officials on Tuesday to use the Lipulekh pass for trade, bypassing Nepal. The understanding was part of a 12-point joint press statement issued following Wang’s meetings, including with India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
Lipulekh is Nepali territory, with China’s Tibet to its north. Limpiyadhura, which Nepal considers the tri-junction point, lies approximately 17 km west. India has built a road through Lipulekh to Tibet and established military and strategic infrastructure in the area, creating the shortest route from New Delhi to a Chinese border point.
The agreement between China and India coincides with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s upcoming visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, where he is also expected to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Nepal had previously protested such bilateral agreements between the two countries.
Three-point statement
1.The Government of Nepal is clear on the fact that Nepal's constitution incorporates the official map, and that Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani east of the Mahakali River are integral parts of Nepal as shown in that map.
2. It is also well-known that the Government of Nepal has been urging the Government of India not to carry out any activities such as road construction/expansion or border trade in the said area. It is also acknowledged that the friendly nation China has been informed that this area is Nepali territory.
3. In accordance with the spirit and sentiment of the close and friendly relations existing between Nepal and India, the Government of Nepal remains committed to resolving the border issue between the two countries through diplomatic means on the basis of historical treaties, agreements, facts, maps, and evidence.
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