KATHMANDU, May 9 : Nepal on Friday reiterated its commitment to resolving border-related issues with India through diplomatic channels, amid renewed differences over the Lipulekh region linked to the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra route.
Nepal Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Chhetri said Kathmandu had already conveyed its position regarding Lipulekh and the proposed Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage route passing through the disputed area.
“The Nepalese government is always committed to resolving the border-related issue through diplomatic channels on the basis of historical agreements, understanding, facts, maps and evidence,” Chhetri said.
He added that Nepal seeks a resolution in the spirit of the close and friendly relations shared between the two neighbouring countries.
The remarks came after India recently rejected Nepal’s objection to the upcoming Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand, dismissing Kathmandu’s territorial claims as “untenable”.
Nepal has maintained that Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani areas, located east of the Mahakali River, are integral parts of its territory under the Sugauli Treaty of 1816.
“We have already informed our stance and concern to both India and China,” Chhetri said.
Earlier this week, Nepal government spokesperson Sasmit Pokharel said the country was not seeking to expand its borders but remained firm on its territorial claims.
“The issue needs to be resolved through collaboration and diplomatic dialogue between the two countries,” Pokharel said.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs had announced on April 30 that the annual Kailash Mansarovar Yatra would be conducted from June to August through two routes — Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand and Nathu La in Sikkim.
The pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake in Tibet is considered sacred by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains.
The yatra resumed last year after nearly five years as part of efforts to improve relations between India and China.
