Key Highlights
- Territorial Dispute: Nepal claims Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura as sovereign territory under the 1816 Treaty of Sugauli.
- India’s Stance: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) dismissed Nepal’s claims as “untenable” and “artificial,” citing continuous use since 1954.
- Yatra Schedule: The 2026 pilgrimage is set for June to August, consisting of 10 batches with 50 pilgrims each.
- Strategic Control: The Lipulekh Pass remains a critical tri-junction under Indian Army control since the 1962 conflict.
The diplomatic relationship between India and Nepal has faced a new hurdle as the 2026 season of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra approaches. The newly elected government in Nepal, led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah, has officially registered its opposition to the use of the Lipulekh Pass. Kathmandu asserts that the region, which serves as a gateway between India and Tibet, should not be used for travel without its explicit consent.
This latest friction follows an announcement by India’s Ministry of External Affairs on April 30, 2024, confirming that the high-altitude pilgrimage would resume through the Uttarakhand route. The 2026 plan involves transporting approximately 500 pilgrims in smaller batches via the Lipulekh Pass, a route that India has developed significantly in recent years to ease the arduous journey.
Historical Claims and Contemporary Rebuttals
Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs grounded its protest in the 1816 Treaty of Sugauli, maintaining that the areas of Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani are integral parts of its national territory. Through formal diplomatic channels, Nepal has urged both India and China to halt activities in the region, including road infrastructure projects, commercial trade, and religious pilgrimages.
India has responded firmly to these assertions. Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, clarified that India’s position remains consistent, noting that the Lipulekh Pass has been a recognized and traditional route for the Yatra since 1954. New Delhi has categorized Nepal’s recent territorial assertions as a “unilateral and artificial enlargement” of its map, stating that such claims lack a basis in historical facts or documented evidence.
Strategic Significance of the Lipulekh Tri-Junction
The Lipulekh Pass is a vital strategic tri-junction where the borders of India, Nepal, and China converge. While it has been under the administrative and military control of India since 1962, it remains a focal point of regional sensitivity. In 2015 and again in 2025, India and China reached bilateral agreements to facilitate trade and travel through this corridor, moves that Nepal has consistently criticized for excluding its participation.
As the Balendra Shah administration frames the issue as a matter of national sovereignty, India continues its logistical preparations for the June start date. While India maintains that it is open to resolving boundary issues through dialogue, it has signaled that the 2026 Yatra will proceed as planned, emphasizing the long-standing tradition and religious importance of the Lipulekh route for thousands of devotees.
