India rejects Nepal’s objection over Lipulekh pass amid border tensions

India has rejected objections raised by Nepal over the planned Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage route through the Lipulekh Pass, saying Kathmandu’s territorial claims are “neither justified nor based on historical facts and evidence.”

The dispute centreson the annual Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a Hindu pilgrimage to sacred sites in China’s Tibet region, which India says has long used the Lipulekh Pass as a traditional access route, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media. 

Earlier on May 3, Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it had raised concerns with both India and China, arguing that the route passes through territory it considers its own. Nepal maintains that under the 1816 Treaty of Sugauli, the areas of Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani belong to Nepal, and has urged India to halt activities including road construction, border trade, and pilgrimage organisation in the region.

Responding to the objections, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated New Delhi’s position.

“With regard to territorial claims, India has consistently maintained that such claims are neither justified nor based on historical facts and evidence. Such unilateral and artificial expansion of territorial claims is untenable,” he said.

He added that the Lipulekh Pass has been used for pilgrimage access since 1954 and “is nothing new,” noting India’s willingness to continue dialogue with Nepal on outstanding boundary issues.

“India remains open to constructive engagement with Nepal on all issues of bilateral relations, including the resolution of agreed-upon but as yet unresolved border issues through dialogue and diplomacy,” Jaiswal said.

The route has been a recurring point of friction between the two neighbours in recent years. The pilgrimage was last held in 2025 after a five-year suspension, following efforts by India and China to ease tensions along their disputed border.

For 2026, authorities plan to send 10 groups of 50 pilgrims each through the Lipulekh Pass between June and August, according to official arrangements.

By Sabina Mammadli