The government has reiterated its stance that Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura are Nepal's territory. Government spokesperson Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel said on Monday that the government is clear that the land up to Limpiyadhura belongs to Nepal. He also stated that the government is committed to resolving the border issue through talks. India rejected Nepal's claim saying it was not historical and based on facts and evidence. The Nepal government's response came the next day. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a 'diplomatic note' to both neighbors on Sunday, protesting the preparations for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra between India and China via Nepali territory, Lipulekh. In which it was stated that the Nepal government is adamant that Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani east of the Mahakali River are integral parts of Nepal. The territory east of the Mahakali River has been Nepal's since the Sugauli Treaty of 1816. The Nepal government has conveyed its clear stance and concerns to both India and China through diplomatic channels regarding the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, which is said to be conducted through Nepali land, in a 'press note' issued on Sunday by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lok Bahadur Chhetri Poudel. The government is committed to this issue. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has spoken. The note has been sent. Wherever there is a border dispute, that is Nepal's land: Sasmit Pokharel, Minister of Education and Government Spokesperson

In an interaction with the media after the cabinet meeting held on Tuesday morning, Minister Pokharel also informed that a diplomatic note has been sent to both countries. 'The government is committed to this issue. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has spoken. The note has been sent.' "Where there is a border dispute, that is Nepal's land," he said, "We are clear that it is our land. India has also said something. It has said that a solution should be found through open cooperation and discussion. We are committed to that. It is a matter of cooperation and discussion between the two governments. Discussions can be held." The Indian Ministry of External Affairs responded on Sunday evening within hours of the Nepal government clarifying its position through the Foreign Ministry. Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India's position has always been clear and consistent, saying that Lipulekh Pass has been the main route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra since 1854. "Travel has been going on through this route for decades, this is not a new issue," Jaiswal said in his response, "India has consistently maintained that the unilateral claims made are unjustified and not based on historical facts and evidence." Such unilateral claims are unacceptable to India. India has also stated that it is always open to constructive dialogue with Nepal on all issues of bilateral relations, including the unresolved border. 7 The former ambassador said - 'Take immediate diplomatic initiatives to protect the sovereign border' Last Thursday, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued a notice regarding the start of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lipulekh Pass. India is preparing to take 50 Indian pilgrims on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lipulekh Pass in June and August. Interested citizens have been asked to apply online for that. The Ministry of External Affairs has mentioned that 50 people will be taken on the Kailash Yatra via Lipulekh Pass and 10 people will be taken on the Kailash Yatra via Nathula Pass in Sikkim. Nepal has objected to India's preparation. Lipulekh Pass is a land within 56 kilometers of Nepal's western border, Limpiyadhura. Last month, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs had also given permission to prepare for cross-border trade through the Lipulekh Pass. The Pithoragarh district administration of Uttarakhand has already started the necessary preparations for trade. The season for trade through the Lipulekh Pass is generally considered to be from June to September.

Nepal has long been protesting the agreement on trade or travel through Lipulekh. When Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China in 2015, India and China had agreed to trade through Lipulekh Pass. At that time, the Nepalese government had sent diplomatic notes to both countries to express its protest. It had made it clear that the land belonged to Nepal. Despite Nepal's protests, India built a road on Nepali land and showed Nepali land on its map, which is increasing the dispute. After India ignored Nepal's request to resolve the border dispute through talks, Nepal amended the constitution in Jestha 2077 and included the territory up to Limpiyadhura in Nepal's map. During the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to India on 2 and 3 of last Bhadra, during talks with his Indian counterpart S. Jaishankar, an agreement was reached to open border trade between the two countries. Nepal had also objected to the agreement between India and China at that time. After the agreement on trade between China and India through the Lipulekh Pass, the Ministry of External Affairs issued a press note on 4 Bhadra, clarifying that Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani east of the Mahakali River are integral parts of Nepal. Nepal had urged the Indian government not to carry out any activities such as road construction/expansion, border trade in the area. Ignoring Nepal's request, India and China have started preparations to resume the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage through Lipulekh Pass.

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Congress urges India and China to respect Nepal's sovereignty

The main opposition Congress has drawn serious attention to the agreement between India and China on the Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani regions and drawn the government's attention to resolve the issue through high-level diplomatic talks and dialogue. In a meeting of the Congress Central Working Committee held on Monday, the Congress has urged both India and China to respect Nepal's geographical integrity and sovereignty.

The meeting expressed dissatisfaction saying that the agreement between India and China to conduct the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Nepali land Lipulekh was made without Nepal's knowledge and consent. The Congress has reiterated its previous stance that the Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani regions are the inalienable territory of Nepal, stating that the party has always been clear and firm on this issue.

‘Based on the Sugauli Treaty of 1816, Nepal’s historical maps, records, documents and evidence, the Nepali Congress has been maintaining its official view that Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani, including Nepal, are Nepal’s territory.’ A statement issued after the Congress meeting said, ‘The Congress is clear in this view and stance. The Nepali Congress believes that both India and China will be sensitive to Nepal’s sovereignty.’ The Congress has positively taken note of the diplomatic note sent by the Nepali government to India and China.