Why in the news?
Shisir Khanal, Foreign Minister of Nepal, stated that Nepal seeks resolution of the Kalapani-Lipulekh-Limpiyadhura border dispute with India through diplomatic means and is not seeking third-party mediation.
Key Highlights
- Nepal reiterated its claim over:
- Kalapani
- Lipulekh
- Limpiyadhura trijunction.
- Nepal clarified:
- Contact with the United Kingdom was regarding access to historical documents, not mediation.
- India’s stand:
- Border issue should be resolved through existing bilateral mechanisms.
- No scope for third-party intervention.
- Issue resurfaced after:
- India announced the 2026 Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra route through Lipulekh Pass.
- Nepal protested to:
- India
- China regarding use of the disputed area.
About the Kalapani-Lipulekh-Limpiyadhura Dispute
Location
- Tri-junction area involving:
- India
- Nepal
- China (Tibet Autonomous Region).
Strategic Importance
- Lipulekh Pass:
- Important Himalayan mountain pass.
- Used for:
- Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra
- Trade with Tibet.
Origin of the Dispute
Treaty of Sugauli (1816)
- Signed between:
- British East India Company
- Kingdom of Nepal.
- Treaty defined:
- Kali River as western boundary of Nepal.
Core Issue
- Disagreement over:
- Origin/source of Kali River.
- Nepal claims:
- Limpiyadhura is the river’s origin.
- Hence Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura belong to Nepal.
- India maintains:
- Different interpretation of river origin and boundary alignment.
Recent Developments
2020 Map Controversy
- Nepal released a new political map including:
- Kalapani
- Lipulekh
- Limpiyadhura.
- Nepal amended constitution to incorporate the map.
Nepal’s New Political Context
- Current government led by:
- Balendra Shah.
- Foreign Minister said:
- Nepal seeks a development-focused relationship with India.
- Wants to move beyond “old geopolitical baggage”.
India-Nepal Cooperation
Recent Developments
- Operationalisation of Peer-to-peer cross-border digital payment system.
Agreement Between
- Nepal Clearing House Ltd.
- National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
About Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra
- Pilgrimage to:
- Mount Kailash
- Lake Mansarovar.
- Sacred to:
- Hindus
- Buddhists
- Jains
- Bon followers.
- Indian routes:
- Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand)
- Nathu La Pass (Sikkim).
[2020] Consider the following statements:
1. The value of Indo-Sri Lanka trade has consistently increased in the last decade.
2.“Textile and textile articles” constitute an important item of trade between India and Bangladesh.
3. In the last five years, Nepal has been the largest trading partner of India in South Asia.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 only
c) 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3