Nepal stand on trade through Lipulekh not justified: MEA

A day after India and China agreed to the re-opening of border trade through the three designated points, Nepal has objected to the border trade through Lipulekh Pass. Nepal has disputed the Indian claim over Lipulekh in the past. Nepal PM K P Sharma Oli had in 2020 opposed it, passing a map in Parliament, showing the area as part of Nepal.

In response to Nepal’s stand, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “Border trade between India and China through Lipulekh pass commenced in 1954 and has been going on for decades… such claims are neither justified nor based on… evidence.” He said that India remains open to constructive interaction on resolving the boundary issues.