NEW DELHI: Nepal has formally raised objections to the planned use of the Lipulekh Pass for the upcoming Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, asserting that the route traverses territory it claims as its own. The development has once again brought the sensitive India-Nepal boundary issue into focus, even as both sides express willingness to engage in dialogue.
The objection comes after India announced that the 2026 edition of the sacred Hindu pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar in Tibet would be conducted between June and August, in coordination with China. Pilgrims will have the option of two routes, one via Nathu La in Sikkim and another via Lipulekh in Uttarakhand with online registrations already open.
Nepal’s Position and Diplomatic Moves
Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it has conveyed its concerns to both India and China through diplomatic channels. The ministry reiterated its long-held claim, declaring that Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani areas east of the Mahakali River form an integral part of Nepali territory as per the 1816 Treaty of Sugauli.
A spokesperson emphasised that Nepal was not consulted regarding the pilgrimage route. Kathmandu has consistently urged India to refrain from activities such as road construction, border trade, or pilgrimage operations in the disputed region. China has also been formally informed of Nepal’s position on the matter.
Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal stated that the decision was made after consultations with political parties, and Nepal’s official position has now been formally conveyed.
India’s Response
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has rejected Nepal’s claims, describing its position as “consistent and clear.” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “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.”
On the territorial aspect, the MEA added that such claims are “neither justified nor based on historical facts and evidence” and that “unilateral artificial enlargement of territorial claims is untenable.” India, however, reiterated its openness to constructive dialogue on outstanding boundary issues.
The Root: Treaty of Sugauli, 1816
The dispute is over 200 years old. After the Anglo-Nepalese War (1814–1816), the defeated Gorkha Kingdom signed the Treaty of Sugauli with the British East India Company. The treaty drew the western boundary between Nepal and British India along the Kali River (also called Mahakali). The fatal flaw, the treaty never specified where the river begins. That single omission became the “original sin” of the entire conflict.
Nepal argues the river originates at Limpiyadhura, meaning the entire Kalapani-Lipulekh-Limpiyadhura triangle (about 372 sq km) belongs to them. India argues the river begins from the Kalapani springs further downstream, placing Lipulekh and the surrounding area within Uttarakhand.
The Strategic Turn: 1962
For decades, the border remained largely “soft,” but geopolitics changed with the rise of modern China.
1954 Agreement: India and China signed a trade and transit agreement that recognized Lipulekh Pass as a gateway for trade and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Nepal was not a party to this, which remains a point of contention.
1962 Indo-China War: Following the war, India established a permanent military presence in Kalapani. The high-altitude terrain at the tri-junction (India-Nepal-China) provided a vital vantage point to monitor Chinese movements. Nepal, under King Mahendra, did not formally contest this military presence for several years, which India cites as “acquiescence.”
The Modern Flashpoints (2015–2020)
Three events pushed the long-dormant dispute back to the centre of India-Nepal relations:
2015 Trade Agreement: During Prime Minister Modi’s visit to China, both nations agreed to expand trade through Lipulekh. Nepal’s parliament passed a resolution objecting to this “bilateral deal on Nepalese territory.”
2019 Map Update: India released a new political map after the reorganization of Jammu & Kashmir. The map showed Kalapani region as part of Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district. This sparked widespread protests in Kathmandu.
2020 Road Inauguration: India’s Defense Minister inaugurated an 80-km road connecting Dharchula to Lipulekh to ease the Mansarovar pilgrimage.
2020 Constitutional Amendment: This was the most significant action. After India inaugurated a new road to Lipulekh in May 2020, the Nepal Parliament unanimously passed the Second Constitution Amendment Bill. This legally updated Nepal’s national map and emblem to include:
•Lipulekh Pass
•Kalapani
•Limpiyadhura
Current Situation
In May 2024, Nepal’s cabinet decided to print the updated map, including Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura, on its 100-rupee notes. The note was actually issued by Nepal’s central bank in November 2025. India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar called it a “unilateral move” that would not change the reality on the ground.
Path Forward and Broader Implications
Despite the renewed protest, Nepal has signalled its commitment to resolving the matter amicably. The foreign ministry stated that it remains dedicated to addressing boundary issues “through historical facts, evidence and diplomatic dialogue” in the spirit of friendly bilateral relations.
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra holds deep religious significance for thousands of devotees, and any disruption could affect pilgrimage plans.
The 19th-century colonial oversight within the Treaty of Sugauli has now matured into a 21st-century ‘Cartographic War,’ testing the limits of modern diplomacy.
For Kathmandu, the unanimous constitutional update of 2020 and the subsequent currency assertions are non-negotiable symbols of sovereign pride. For New Delhi, the continued administrative and military presence in the region underscores a firm commitment to maintaining a long-standing status quo.
As the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra begins this June, the focus remains on maintaining the cultural and religious ties between the two neighbors. While the Lipulekh route continues to be a subject of diplomatic discussion, the priority for both New Delhi and Kathmandu is the preservation of the deep-rooted “Roti-Beti” bonds that have historically defined their relationship.
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