Opposition parties, led by Nepali Congress, have piled pressure on the government to initiate diplomatic measures to reclaim encroached Nepali territories, including Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani. During a meeting of the International Relations and Tourism Committee of the House of Representatives held at Singha Durbar on Thursday, lawmakers emphasized that these areas are Nepali lands and demanded that the government prioritize high-level dialogue with neighboring India and China.
Members of Parliament expressed particular concern over the use of Lipulekh as a commercial gateway by India and China without Nepal's consent. Nepali Congress MP Sandeep Rana stressed that sending diplomatic notes is no longer sufficient and called for direct, at-the-table negotiations with both neighbors. He also suggested that Nepal should leverage its cultural heritage, such as the promotion of the "Five Kailash" pilgrimage sites—four of which are located within Nepal—to strengthen its diplomacy and tourism during these discussions.
The sentiment was echoed by CPN (UML) MP Bhumika Limbu Subba, who characterized recent responses from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs regarding the dispute as "irresponsible." She urged the government to consult with all political parties to form a unified national stance.
Highlighting the need for immediate action, MP Rana stated, " "Lipulekh is our land. While our diplomatic notes have drawn attention, we must go a step further and sit down with both nations for direct discussions. We must also promote our ancient heritage, such as the Kailash pilgrimage, as part of our diplomatic initiative to bolster Nepal's tourism while asserting our territorial rights."
Supporting this call, Pramesh Kumar Hamal of Nepali Communist Party (NCP) acknowledged the government's previous expressions of disagreement but insisted they were inadequate. He urged the administration to build internal political consensus and look toward past diplomatic precedents to effectively halt border encroachments and secure the return of Nepali territory.
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