New Delhi: India on Sunday trashed Nepal’s objection to conduct of upcoming Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through the decades-old route of Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand and asserted that such “unilateral artificial enlargement” of territorial claims is “untenable”.
New Delhi’s sharp reaction came hours after the Nepal foreign ministry issued a statement strongly objecting to India and China making preparations for the annual pilgrimage via Lipulekh Pass without consulting Kathmandu, which claims the region belongs to it.
Last week, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that the annual Kailash Mansarovar Yatra will take place from June to August via two routes — Lipulekh Pass and Nathu La in Sikkim.
The pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake, located in Tibet, holds deep religious significance for Hindus, as well as for followers of Jainism and Buddhism. The Yatra resumed last year after a nearly five-year suspension, in a sign of improving ties between India and China.
Responding to the controversy, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India’s longstanding position. “India’s position in this regard had been consistent and clear. Lipulekh Pass has been a long standing route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra since 1954 and the Yatra through this route has been going on for decades,” he said.
“This is not a new development. As regards territorial claims, India has consistently maintained that such claims are neither justified nor based on historical facts and evidence,” Jaiswal added.
He further said, “Such unilateral artificial enlargement of territorial claims is untenable.”
While pushing back against Nepal’s claims, the MEA emphasised that India remains open to “constructive interaction” with Kathmandu on all bilateral issues, including resolving outstanding boundary matters through dialogue and diplomacy.
Nepal, however, has reiterated that under the 1816 Sugauli Treaty, territories east of the Mahakali River — including Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura — belong to it, keeping the long-running dispute alive.
