The Foreign Ministry has made its stance on the issue of border dispute in Lipulek and Kalapani clear by issuing a statement on Wednesday evening, after there were news reports that India and China agreed to reopen the Lipulek trade route.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs of India said that border trade between India and China through Lipulek pass had commenced in 1954 and has been going on for decades. In a statement issued on Wednesday evening, it said that Nepal´s territorial claims are neither justified nor based on historical facts and evidence.

In response to the agreement, the Government of Nepal has expressed objections to any activities in the area, reminding both countries that the Kalapani region is an integral part of Nepal.

“The Constitution of Nepal has already incorporated Nepal’s official map, which clearly establishes that Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani, located to the east of the Mahakali River, are integral parts of Nepal,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said in a statement on Wednesday evening.

Responding to the queries of the media, the MoFA said that Nepal has consistently urged the Government of India not to undertake activities such as road construction/expansion or cross-border trade in that area. “The Government of Nepal has also duly informed our friendly neighbour, China, that the said area falls within Nepali territory,” read the statement.

“In accordance with the spirit and sentiment of the close and friendly relations existing between Nepal and India, the Government of Nepal has remained committed to resolving the boundary problem between the two countries through diplomatic means, on the basis of historical treaties and agreements, facts, maps, and evidence” read the statement, which the ministry said was from Ministry spokesperson.

During the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to India on August 18 and 19, the two countries reached an agreement to reopen the historic Lipulek Pass. The two countries had agreed to open the Pass for trade during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China in 2015, but was shut after their armies clashed in Laddakh in 2020.

Meanwhile, India and China had agreed to reopen the border point for pilgrims visiting the Kailash Mansarovar which happened without Nepal’s notice.