Nepal raises Lipulekh issue; India says no ‘historical’ record, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• Nepal raised concerns with India and China regarding the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra through the Kalapani-Limpiyadhura-Lipulekh region.
• Nepal reiterated its claim that the Kalapani-Limpiyadhura-Lipulekh region is part of its sovereign territory.
• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India stated that Nepal's claims on Lipulekh Pass are not based on historical facts.
• The MEA announced that the next Kailash Yatra would occur in coordination with China in June-August.

Detailed Insights:

• The Lipulekh issue has been a point of contention between India and Nepal, particularly since India inaugurated a road through the disputed territory in 2020.
• Nepal's new Prime Minister, Balendra Shah, has been following a restrictive diplomatic protocol since taking office in March, creating uncertainties around meetings with foreign envoys.
• The Kailash Manasarovar Yatra is a pilgrimage of great significance for Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains, and the route through Lipulekh Pass is considered one of the access points.
• India claims the area as part of Uttarakhand, while Nepal asserts its claim based on the Treaty of Sugauli signed in 1816.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Treaty of Sugauli: A treaty signed between the East India Company and the Kingdom of Nepal in 1816, which defined the boundary between British India and Nepal.

Kalapani Region