India rejects Nepal’s territorial claim as ‘untenable’
The Lipulekh Pass has been a “contested” territory, and Nepal has often questioned moves by India and China to conduct trade and pilgrimages through the pass.
India yesterday (3 May) rejected Nepal's objection to the conduct of an upcoming key Hindu pilgrimage to a site in the Himalayas through the decades-old route via a pass in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, saying such "unilateral artificial enlargement" of territorial claims is "untenable".
India's sharp reaction came hours after Nepal's Foreign Ministry issued a statement strongly objecting to India and China making preparations for the annual Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lipulekh Pass without consulting Kathmandu, which claims the region belongs to it.
Last week, India's External Affairs Ministry (MEA) announced that the annual Kailash Mansarovar Yatra will take place from June to August via two routes — Lipulekh Pass and Nathu La in Sikkim.
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In response to media queries regarding Nepal's claims related to border issues in the context of the pilgrimage, the MEA's official spokesperson said in a statement that India's position on the matter had been consistent and clear.
"Lipulekh Pass has been a long-standing route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra since 1954, and the yatra through this route has been going on for decades. This is not a new development," he said.
"As regards Nepal's territorial claims, India has consistently maintained that such claims are neither justified nor based on historical facts and evidence. Such unilateral artificial enlargement of territorial claims is untenable," the spokesperson added.
He said India "remains open to constructive engagement with Nepal on all issues in the bilateral relationship, including resolving agreed outstanding boundary issues through dialogue and diplomacy."
The Lipulekh Pass has been a "contested" territory, and Nepal has often questioned moves by India and China to conduct trade and pilgrimages through the pass.
Earlier yesterday, Nepal's Foreign Ministry said, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has drawn the attention of various media outlets to the questions and concerns raised regarding the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which is said to be conducted between India and China via Nepali territory, Lipulekh."
"The Government of Nepal is completely clear and steadfast in the fact that Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani, east of the Mahakali River, are integral parts of Nepal since the Sugauli Treaty of 1816," it said.
The ministry said the government of Nepal has "conveyed its clear stance and concerns to both India and China through diplomatic channels regarding the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra."
"Even before this, the Government of Nepal has been continuously urging the Government of India not to undertake any activities such as road construction or expansion, border trade, and pilgrimage in the area," it said.
Former Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli raised the issue with Xi Jinping during his visit to China in September 2025.
The Government of Nepal is "always committed to resolving the border issue through diplomatic means, in line with the spirit of the close and friendly relations between Nepal and India, based on historical treaties and agreements, facts, maps, and evidence," Nepal's Foreign Ministry said.
