India has firmly rejected Nepal’s objection to the use of the Lipulekh Pass route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, reiterating that its position remains “clear and consistent” and dismissing Kathmandu’s territorial claims as lacking historical basis.
In an official statement issued on May 3, the Ministry of External Affairs stated that Lipulekh has been a traditional route for the pilgrimage since 1954, stressing that the current development does not represent any policy shift. New Delhi also termed Nepal’s claims as “unjustified” and “untenable,” asserting that unilateral expansion of territorial claims is not supported by facts or historical evidence.
The response comes after Nepal formally lodged diplomatic protests with both India and China, reiterating its claim over the Lipulekh–Kalapani–Limpiyadhura region, citing the Sugauli Treaty as the basis for its position.
Despite the sharp exchange, India signalled openness to dialogue, stating that it remains committed to resolving boundary issues through established diplomatic mechanisms.
The development brings renewed focus to the long-standing boundary dispute between the two neighbours, even as both sides maintain firm positions while emphasising diplomatic engagement as the preferred path forward.
