In a prompt response to Nepal's diplomatic statement, India has addressed the concerns raised over its agreement with China to resume trade through the Lipulekh Pass.
In a statement, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) commented that it has been using the Lipulekh pass for decades, stating that Nepal's expanded map claim is baseless. The statement was released in response to media queries regarding Nepal's comments on the border issue.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "We have noted the remarks of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal related to resumption of border trade between India and China through the Lipulekh Pass. Our position in this regard is consistent and clear. Border trade between India and China through the Lipulekh Pass had commenced in 1954 and has been going on for decades. This trade had been disrupted in recent years due to Covid and other developments, and both sides have now agreed to resume it."
India has termed Nepal's updated map, which incorporates territory from Lipulekh to Limpiyadhura, an "artificial enlargement".
The statement reads, "As regards territorial claims, our position remains that such claims are neither justified nor based on historical facts and evidence. Any unilateral artificial enlargement of territorial claims is untenable. India remains open to constructive interaction with Nepal on resolving agreed outstanding boundary issues through dialogue and diplomacy."
During Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s two-day visit to India, the two countries agreed on Tuesday to use the Lipulekh pass, "bypassing" Nepal. A 12-point press note from India's MEA on the agreements during Wang’s visit stated in point nine: "Both sides agreed to the re-opening of border trade through the three designated trading points, namely Lipulekh Pass, Shipki La Pass and Nathu La Pass."
Issuing a diplomatic statement over the India-China agreement on Wednesday, Nepal’s Foreign Ministry reiterated that Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani are integral parts of Nepal, urging the Indian government not to conduct any activities, such as road construction, expansion, or border trade in these areas.
In a three-point statement responding to media queries about India-China border trade via the Nepali territory of Lipulekh, the Ministry also mentioned that both India and China have been officially informed about these areas, which are included in Nepal’s updated official map.
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