India has dismissed Nepal's objections regarding the continued use of Lipulekh Pass as a route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) affirmed that the pass, situated at the tri-junction between India, Nepal, and China, lies within Indian territory. This statement reiterates India's long-standing position amidst ongoing bilateral discussions concerning border issues between the two South Asian nations.

The Lipulekh Pass serves as one of the two main official pilgrimage routes from India for the annual Kailash Mansarovar Yatra to Tibet. Nepal has historically claimed the pass, along with Kalapani and Limpiyadhura, as part of its sovereign territory. This territorial dispute intensified in May 2020 when Kathmandu published a new political map that unilaterally included these areas within its national borders. India immediately rejected this cartographic assertion, emphasizing that these territories are integral parts of India and that such unilateral actions are unacceptable.

India's development of infrastructure in the region further escalated tensions. In 2020, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) completed a 76-kilometer all-weather road connecting Dharchula to the Lipulekh Pass, significantly reducing the arduous trekking distance for pilgrims. While India stated the road was built within its existing territory and designed to ease access for pilgrims and local residents, Nepal viewed the construction as a violation of its sovereignty and formally lodged diplomatic protests at the time.

Key details regarding the issue include:

  • Kailash Mansarovar Yatra: An annual Hindu pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. It is considered sacred in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
  • Pilgrimage Routes: Two primary official routes from India are facilitated: one via Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand and another via Nathu La in Sikkim.
  • Disputed Territories: The specific areas of contention are Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura, located in the Himalayas along the India-Nepal border.
  • Nepal's Cartographic Claim: In May 2020, Nepal's parliament approved a revised political map incorporating these disputed territories into its administrative boundaries.
  • India's Infrastructure Project: The Border Roads Organisation's construction of a road to Lipulekh Pass aims to improve connectivity for the yatra and border areas.

India's recent dismissal underscores its consistent position regarding its territorial integrity and the established pilgrimage route. While diplomatic discussions on boundary matters between India and Nepal continue, the operational use of the Lipulekh Pass for the Kailash Yatra remains unchanged. The issue continues to highlight complex, long-standing border demarcation challenges between the two South Asian neighbours, with both nations steadfast in asserting their respective claims.