NATIONAL: Lipulekh Trade Reopening Fuels Nepal-India Tensions
India and China have agreed to resume border trade through the Lipulekh Pass, alongside Shipki La and Nathu La, as a step toward resolving longstanding bilateral disputes.
This decision, announced during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to India, has elicited a sharp objection from Nepal, which claims the Lipulekh region as its sovereign territory.
Nepal’s Territorial Assertions
Nepal’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lok Bahadur Chhetri, reiterated that Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani, situated east of the Mahakali River, are integral to Nepal, as reflected in its official map.
Kathmandu has communicated its stance to China and expressed readiness to address the issue diplomatically, citing historical treaties and maps.
In 2020, Nepal’s government, under then-Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, formalized these claims by amending its constitution to include a revised map, a move that intensified tensions with India.
India’s Firm Rebuttal
India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, categorically rejected Nepal’s objections, asserting that border trade through Lipulekh commenced in 1954 and continued for decades until disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors.
He labeled Nepal’s territorial claims as “untenable” and lacking historical substantiation, emphasizing that unilateral territorial assertions are unacceptable.
India remains open to resolving boundary disputes with Nepal through constructive diplomatic engagement, Jaiswal added, reinforcing New Delhi’s consistent position.
Context of India-China Engagement
The decision to resume trade was formalized during high-level talks between Wang Yi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
The joint communiqué highlighted the reopening of three trade routes as a confidence-building measure to normalize ties post the 2020 Galwan Valley clash.
These discussions reflect broader efforts to stabilize India-China relations, strained by recent geopolitical tensions, while navigating regional complexities involving Nepal.
Historical and Diplomatic Nuances
The Lipulekh dispute, rooted in differing interpretations of the 1816 Treaty of Sugauli, has long been a flashpoint, with Nepal asserting the Kali River’s origin at Limpiyadhura, while India maintains it begins at Kalapani.
Nepal’s 2020 map revision, incorporating these areas, was met with India’s dismissal as lacking historical basis, further complicating trilateral dynamics.
Both nations have expressed commitment to diplomatic resolutions, yet the resumption of trade underscores India and China’s prioritization of bilateral economic interests.
Regional Implications
The reopening of Lipulekh for trade could reshape regional economic alignments, but Nepal’s objections highlight persistent sovereignty concerns.
This development may prompt renewed diplomatic efforts to address the tri-junction dispute, balancing trade ambitions with territorial sensitivities.