India has recently dismissed objections from Nepal concerning the use of Lipulekh Pass for the annual Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Indian authorities reaffirmed their position that the pass lies within Indian territory, emphasizing its historical significance as a traditional pilgrimage route. This development occurs amidst a long-standing territorial dispute between the two South Asian nations over the strategic tri-junction area in the Himalayas.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi has consistently maintained that Lipulekh Pass is an integral part of India. Officials assert that the route through the pass for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has been in use for decades, facilitating pilgrims' journey to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. India has also undertaken infrastructure development in the region, including the construction and modernization of a road leading to the pass, to improve accessibility and safety for pilgrims. This infrastructure work is viewed by India as an exercise of its sovereign rights within its internationally recognized borders.

Nepal, however, contests India's claim over Lipulekh Pass, along with the adjacent areas of Kalapani and Limpiyadhura. Kathmandu asserts that these territories fall within its administrative boundaries based on historical treaties, notably the Sugauli Treaty of 1816. In 2020, Nepal officially released a new political map that depicted these disputed areas as part of its sovereign territory, leading to heightened diplomatic tensions. Nepal has consistently raised concerns about India's construction activities and the movement of pilgrims through the pass, viewing them as encroachments on its sovereignty.

Key details regarding the dispute and the pilgrimage:

  • Strategic Location: Lipulekh Pass is a high-altitude Himalayan pass, situated at an elevation of approximately 5,200 meters (17,060 feet). It holds significant strategic importance due to its location near the India-China-Nepal tri-junction.
  • Kailash Mansarovar Yatra: This pilgrimage is a deeply revered spiritual journey for adherents of Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. It involves a trek to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar on the Tibetan Plateau. The Lipulekh route is one of two traditional routes from India, known for its challenging terrain.
  • Sugauli Treaty (1816): This treaty, signed between the British East India Company and the Kingdom of Nepal, broadly defined Nepal's western border along the Kali River. The precise origin of the Kali River has been a point of contention, leading to conflicting interpretations of territorial sovereignty over Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura.
  • Infrastructure Development: India's Border Roads Organisation (BRO) completed a significant section of the Darchula-Lipulekh road in May 2020, aiming to shorten travel time for pilgrims and improve border connectivity. This project was a primary trigger for renewed Nepali protests and the release of its revised political map.

Despite Nepal's repeated objections and calls for diplomatic dialogue to resolve the boundary dispute, India has maintained its position on the Lipulekh Pass. The ongoing situation underscores the complexities of unresolved territorial claims in the Himalayan region and the interplay between historical treaties, strategic interests, and cultural practices. While diplomatic channels remain open for discussions on boundary matters, India continues to facilitate the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through the disputed pass, affirming its administrative control over the route. The precise resolution of the territorial claims remains a subject for future bilateral discussions between the two nations.