India-Nepal Border Dispute Flares Over Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Through Lipulekh Pass

NEW DELHI: The India-Nepal border dispute could see another flare-up with the new government in Kathmandu officially objecting to India's decision to resume Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, with support from China, through the Uttarakhand state crossing at Lipulekh Pass that is claimed by Nepal. Indian government later dismissed Nepal's territorial claims, saying 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," it said, responding to a statement by Nepal foreign ministry. Nepal said in its statement earlier in the day that it had raised the issue diplomatically with both India and China and informed them about its "clear stance and concern" about the planned pilgrimage through "Nepali territory Lipulekh". The external affairs ministry responded by saying India's position in this regard had been consistent and clear. "Lipulekh Pass has been a long-standing route for Kailash Manasarovar Yatra since 1954 and the yatra through this route has been going on for decades," it said, adding this wasn't a new development. "Govt of Nepal is fully clear and firm on the fact that, according to Sugauli Treaty of 1816, Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani — located east of Mahakali river — are integral parts of Nepal," said Nepal foreign ministry. India has in the past as well responded to such statements by asking Nepal to refrain from making any unjustified cartographic assertion and to respect India's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The border-related issue might be the first real test for ties between the countries as Balendra Shah-led government gets up to speed on foreign policy. Both sides are currently discussing a visit by foreign secretary Vikram Misri to Kathmandu next week to firm up bilateral cooperation agenda. Lipulekh in Kalapani area in western Nepal is one of the two tri-junctions that Nepal has with India and China. For India, Kalapani area, including Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh, remains a part of Uttarakhand. Nepal had earlier also objected to India and China's decision to expand trade through the strategic Lipulekh Pass. The Nepal statement recalled that even before this, it had continuously urged India "not to carry out any activities in that area, such as road construction or expansion, border trade, or pilgrimage tourism". "Furthermore, it is clarified that friendly nation of China has also been officially informed that Lipulekh region is Nepali territory," it added. "In line with the spirit and sentiment of close and friendly relations between Nepal and India, Govt of Nepal remains committed to solving border issues through diplomatic means based on historical treaties, agreements, facts, maps, and evidence," Nepal said. India said in its response that it remains open to constructive interaction with Nepal on all issues in the bilateral relationship, including on resolving agreed outstanding boundary issues through dialogue and diplomacy.