Fresh tensions have emerged between India and Nepal after New Delhi announced the reopening of the Himalayan Lipulekh Pass for the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage.
Nepal has strongly protested the move, claiming that the pass lies within the disputed Kalapani territory, which Kathmandu considers part of its sovereign land.
Last month, India’s Ministry of External Affairs announced that the pilgrimage route through Uttarakhand to Tibet via Lipulekh Pass would reopen for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. India plans to send around 50 pilgrims in 10 groups between June and August. Preparations are also underway to resume border trade through the route.
However, Nepal maintains that Lipulekh Pass falls within the Kalapani region and therefore belongs to Nepal. In an official protest lodged with both India and China, Nepal’s Foreign Ministry called for an end to what it described as “unilateral activities,” including road construction, trade, and pilgrimage operations in the disputed area. Kathmandu also urged all sides to resolve the dispute through dialogue.
According to a report published Wednesday by Nikkei Asia, India has rejected Nepal’s claims. New Delhi argues that the route has traditionally been used for pilgrimage purposes since 1954. A spokesperson for India’s Foreign Ministry said Nepal’s position does not align with historical evidence, while also stating that India remains open to diplomatic discussions.
Analysts say the Kalapani dispute has evolved into a major issue tied to Nepal’s national identity and sovereignty. Kathmandu-based geopolitical analyst Sudhir Sharma said Nepal’s position that Kalapani is part of its territory has remained unchanged despite changes in government.
Tensions between the two neighbors intensified in 2019 when India began constructing a road through Lipulekh. The following year, Nepal released a new political map showing Kalapani as part of Nepalese territory, further escalating the border dispute into a sensitive political issue.
Meanwhile, observers believe China has shown a relatively softer stance toward India’s position amid recent improvements in Sino-Indian border relations. However, experts warn that unresolved border disputes in South Asia could trigger larger regional tensions in the future.
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