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Nepal Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal objects to India-China Kailash Mansarovar Yatra pact via Kalapani and Lipulekh, insists Nepal be included, cites territorial claims.
Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal spoke to reporters on Sunday. (Image: ANI)
Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal on Sunday raised concerns over the India-China agreement related to the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, asserting that Nepal should also be involved in any decision concerning the route.
Khanal claimed that parts of the pilgrimage route pass through territory claimed by Nepal. Speaking to ANI during his India visit, the Nepalese Minister objected to the renewal of the agreement between India and China without Nepal’s consent.
#WATCH | Delhi: Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal says, “Kailash Mansarovar Yatra happens through very different border points. Many travel through Nepal. Our concerns are with the renewal of the agreement between India and China through the Kalapani and Lipulekh area, where… pic.twitter.com/4OgWcpRGnW— ANI (@ANI) June 7, 2026
Kathmandu Reasserts Claim Over Kalapani, Lipulekh
“Kailash Mansarovar Yatra happens through very different border points. Many travel through Nepal. Our concerns are with the renewal of the agreement between India and China through the Kalapani and Lipulekh area, where we have said for a very long time that the land belongs to us, and without Nepal’s consent, the two countries by themselves cannot make those agreements,” Khanal said.
He added that Nepal has formally conveyed its position to both countries through diplomatic channels.
“And we’ve made that very clearly known through our communication, including diplomatic notes to both countries,” he added.
Nepal Backs Dialogue To Resolve Border Dispute
Despite raising objections over the understanding related to Mansarovar Yatra, Nepal’s Foreign Minister stressed that Kathmandu remains committed to resolving outstanding boundary issues with India through established bilateral mechanisms.
Khanal, who came to India on a two-day visit on Friday, said Nepal’s new government is keen to strengthen relations with India. His remarks come amid renewed debate over the Kalapani-Lipulekh dispute following concerns expressed by Nepal over the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and trade links between India and China.
What Nepal Claims
The issue stems from Nepal’s claim over the Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura regions. In 2020, Kathmandu released a revised political map incorporating the territories, arguing they belong to Nepal under the 1816 Sugauli Treaty. Nepal maintains that the areas lie east of the Kali River and therefore fall within its sovereign territory.
India, however, has rejected the claim, describing Nepal’s map revision as “unilateral”. New Delhi maintains that Lipulekh is part of Uttarakhand and points to its long-standing administrative control over the region, particularly since the 1962 India-China war.
Reiterating India’s position recently, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi remains committed to addressing all bilateral issues with Nepal through dialogue and diplomatic engagement.
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