KATHMANDU — In a decisive move that underscores escalating geopolitical tensions in the Himalayas, Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a strong statement reasserting its claim over the strategically significant territories of Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani. The statement comes in the wake of a recent trade agreement between China and India, which, according to Kathmandu, encroaches upon its sovereign land. This latest development reignites a long-standing territorial dispute and signals Nepal's growing assertiveness in safeguarding its national interests.
The dispute revolves around an area east of the Mahakali River, a region historically and cartographically considered an integral part of Nepal. The Foreign Ministry's press note, released by spokesperson Lok Bahadur Chhetri, explicitly states that the government is unwavering in its position. "The Government of Nepal has been urging the Government of India not to undertake any activities such as road construction, expansion, or border trade in the said area," the note stated, adding that China, too, has been officially informed of Nepal's claim.
This isn't the first time Nepal has found itself caught in a diplomatic crossfire between its two giant neighbors. A similar controversy erupted in 2015 when India and China signed a bilateral agreement to expand trade through the Lipulekh Pass. That accord, which bypassed Kathmandu’s authority over its own territory, was met with widespread national outrage. The then-Nepali government, led by Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, immediately lodged a formal protest, sending diplomatic notes to both New Delhi and Beijing to express its strong disapproval.
Former Foreign Minister Mahendra Bahadur Pandey, a key figure during the 2015 incident, believes that history is repeating itself. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs must immediately send a diplomatic note to both India and China," Pandey urged, stressing the need for immediate action. He also advised that Prime Minister Oli, who is scheduled to visit both countries in the near future, should use these high-level meetings as an opportunity to raise the issue directly with his counterparts. Oli's attendance at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting in Tianjin and his subsequent formal visit to India will be critical moments for Nepal to make its case on the world stage.
The renewed dispute highlights the complex and often precarious position Nepal occupies as a buffer state between two of the world's most populous nations. While Nepal has traditionally maintained close and friendly ties with both India and China, the territorial claims underscore the delicate balancing act it must perform to protect its sovereignty. The government’s firm stance is a clear signal that it will no longer remain a passive observer to agreements that undermine its territorial integrity. The coming weeks will be crucial as diplomatic efforts intensify and the world watches to see how New Delhi, Beijing, and Kathmandu navigate this new phase of an old dispute.
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