India has expressed strong disapproval of Nepal’s statements regarding the resumption of trade between India and China via the Lipulekh Pass, asserting that Kathmandu’s territorial claims over the route are “untenable,” lack justification, and are not supported by historical facts and evidence
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, in an official statement, said that India has conducted trade with China via the Lipulekh Pass since 1954, adding that New Delhi is willing to engage in “constructive interaction” with Nepal through dialogue and diplomacy to address the “boundary issues.”
“Our position in this regard (on Lipulekh Pass) has been consistent and clear. Border trade between India and China through Lipulekh pass had commenced in 1954 and has been going on for decades. This trade had been disrupted in recent years due to Covid and other developments, and both sides have now agreed to resume it,” Randhir Jaiswal said.
The MEA spokesperson added, “As regards territorial claims, our position remains that such claims are neither justified nor based on historical facts and evidence. Any unilateral artificial enlargement of territorial claims is untenable. India remains open to constructive interaction with Nepal on resolving agreed outstanding boundary issues through dialogue and diplomacy.”
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal has given this statement at a time when Nepal has expressed its claim on this land, objecting to the agreement between India and China to open a trade route through Lipulekh.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal comes after Nepal objected to the agreement between India and China to open a trade route via Lipulekh, asserting its claim over the land.
Our response to media queries regarding comments made by Nepal on border issue https://t.co/0I3Es5UUfP pic.twitter.com/nxqFJtudGH — Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) August 20, 2025
Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday reaffirmed its claims over Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani, located east of the Mahakali River, describing them as integral parts of Nepal and objecting to the unilateral move by China and India.
“The Nepalese government is clear that the official map of Nepal has been included in the constitution of Nepal and that the map shows Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani east of the Mahakali River as integral parts of Nepal,” the first point of the press statement reads.
