The Nepal government has urged authorities not to undertake the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage via the Lipulekh route, citing territorial concerns. In a statement issued on Sunday, Nepal’s Foreign Ministry said that under the 1816 Sugauli Treaty, the areas of Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani belong to Nepal. Kathmandu added that it has conveyed its objections and concerns to both India and China through diplomatic channels regarding the proposed route. Nepal also stated that it has previously urged India to refrain from activities such as road construction, trade and tourism in the disputed region. It said China has likewise been informed of its claim over Lipulekh. The country has long maintained its claim over Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura, even issuing official maps last year depicting the areas as part of Nepal, although India considers all three regions to be within its territory. Press release issued by the Nepal government India–Nepal border defined by two rivers In the tri-junction area bordering India, Nepal and China lies a valley formed by the confluence of Himalayan rivers. This region is regarded as the source of the Kali, or Mahakali, river, which flows through both Nepal and India. The area is known as Kalapani, and the Lipulekh Pass is located here, with the Limpiyadhura pass situated a short distance to the north-west. Under the 1816 Sugauli Treaty between the British and the Gorkha kingdom of Nepal, the India–Nepal border was defined along the Kali river. According to the agreement, territories to the west of the river were considered part of India, while those to the east belonged to Nepal. However, a long-standing dispute persists over the exact origin of the Kali river. India identifies the eastern stream as its source, whereas Nepal recognises the western stream. This differing interpretation forms the basis of both countries’ claims over the Kalapani region. Mansarovar Yatra passes through Lipulekh Pass, surveillance of Chinese army also becomes easier Nepal had also protested 11 years ago During PM Modi’s visit to China in 2015, he and then Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang signed an agreement to increase trade via the Lipulekh route. Nepal had protested even then, as this decision was taken without consulting Nepal. Nepal had sent diplomatic notes to both India and China at that time. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra to begin from July 4 The Ministry of External Affairs recently released the complete schedule for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026. This year too, the yatra will be conducted via Lipulekh in Uttarakhand and Nathu La Pass in Sikkim. A total of 1000 pilgrims will travel in 10-10 batches from both routes, with 500 travelers included from the Lipulekh route. The first batch of this journey, which operates from Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, will depart from Delhi on July 4. Before this, travelers will have to complete the process of medical, documentation and briefing in Delhi from June 30 to July 3. The biggest change regarding the journey this time is that now almost the entire journey will be by road. Where earlier one had to walk more than 60 kilometers, now only 38 kilometers of trek remains in the total journey. The entire journey will be 1738 kilometers, most of which will be covered by vehicle.
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