India has once again rejected Nepal's stance on Lipulekh, calling it 'untenable'. Indian External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, responding to a question from a journalist at the weekly press briefing on Thursday, said that the Lipulekh-Kailash Mansarovar road is not a new thing and has been in operation since 1954.
"Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has been happening since 1954 through this route. This is not new. So that is where it is. It is not a new development... We have clearly stated in our statement that the claim of unilateral and artificial enlargement is not correct," said Jaiswal, "If there are boundary issues, we are ready to discuss them as well. But making a unilateral claim is not the right way."
On May 3, Nepal had sent a diplomatic note to both countries objecting to India and China's intention to conduct the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra from Nepali territory, Lipulekh.
The day after Nepal sent the diplomatic note, India sent a letter expressing its disagreement with Nepal's stance. It had claimed that the China-India route through Lipulekh has been running since 1954. On Thursday, India reiterated its old stance.
Supply of oil and fertilizer continues
Stating that Nepal and India have multifaceted relations, Spokesperson Jaiswal said that the supply of petroleum products and chemical fertilizers is taking place and will continue as per the agreement.
Stating that the trade and strategic cooperation between the two countries is very strong, he said, "We have close relations between the two countries. A few days ago, the issue of oil came up regarding the tension in West Asia. We are providing it as per the agreement between the two countries. India is also ready to supply chemical fertilizers."
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