Nepal feuds with India over Lipulekh objection to Mount Kailash pilgrimage; MEA replies

Nepal on Sunday objected to plans by India and China to hold upcoming meeting Kailash Temple Via Lipulekh Pass, it is claimed that the route passes through the territory of Kathmandu.Kathmandu’s foreign ministry said in a statement that it was not consulted before the pilgrimage route was finalized and reiterated its long-standing stance on the disputed area.“The Ministry of External Affairs has taken note of the issues and concerns raised by various media outlets regarding the Kailash Sanctuary proposed to be operated between India and China via Lipulekh in Nepal,” the statement read.It added, “The Government of Nepal is fully aware and firmly of the view that Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani east of the Mahakali River are an integral part of Nepal as per the Treaty of Sugauli of 1816.”The Himalayan Kingdom further claimed that it has expressed its position on the proposed pilgrimage route via Lipulekh to India and China through diplomatic channels.The statement said that Nepal had previously urged India not to conduct any activities in the region. “Earlier, the Nepali government has also continuously urged the Indian government not to carry out any road construction or expansion, border trade or pilgrimage activities in the above-mentioned areas.”The statement added that China has also been officially informed that the Lipulekh region is claimed as Nepalese territory.Nepal reiterated its position and said it remained committed to resolving the border issue through diplomatic means in the spirit of friendly relations with India.“In the spirit of the close and friendly relations between Nepal and India, the Government of Nepal remains committed to resolving the border issue through diplomatic means on the basis of historical treaties, facts, maps and evidence.”

India rejects Nepal’s territorial claims

Responding to Nepal’s objections to the Kailash Sanctuary route via the Lipulekh Pass, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said India’s position on the matter remains “consistent and clear” and insisted that the route has been used for decades.MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: “India’s position in this regard is consistent and clear. Lipulekh Pass has been a long-standing route for pilgrims to Mount Kailash Manasarovar since 1954, and pilgrims through this route have been going on for decades.” This is not a new development. ” He also added, “As for territorial claims, India has always believed that such claims are unreasonable and have no historical facts and evidence. This unilateral artificial expansion of territorial claims is untenable.” Jaiswal also said that India remains open to dialogue with Nepal on outstanding border issues. “India remains willing to engage constructively with Nepal on all issues of bilateral relations, including resolving the agreed outstanding boundary issues through dialogue and diplomacy,” he said. The pilgrimage to Mount Kailash, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in coordination with the Chinese government, will be held from June to August 2026. China reopened the pilgrimage last year after the bilateral relations showed signs of improvement following the completion of the troop disengagement process in eastern Ladakh.