Lipulekh Pass Dispute – Nepal Raises Issue at SCO Summit 2025
Context
- During the SCO Summit 2025 held in Tianjin, China, Nepal’s Prime Minister raised the Lipulekh Pass issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
- Nepal asserted its territorial claim over the region, a matter of longstanding dispute between India and Nepal.
- The move indicates Nepal’s effort to bring international attention to the issue, though China has traditionally stayed neutral.
About Lipulekh Pass
What it is?
- A high-altitude Himalayan mountain pass, historically used for trade and pilgrimage between India and Tibet (China).
Location
- Lies in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, India.
- Close to the trijunction of India, Nepal, and China in the Kumaon region.
- Altitude: Around 5,334 meters (17,500 feet).
Features
- Gateway for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, an important Hindu pilgrimage.
- Acts as a key trade route between India and Tibet.
- Became India’s first border trade post with China (1992), followed by:
- Shipki La (1994) in Himachal Pradesh
- Nathu La (2006) in Sikkim
- Known for its rugged terrain and strategic positioning.
Strategic & Geopolitical Importance
- Located near the India–Nepal–China trijunction, giving it geopolitical weight.
- Crucial for Indo–China trade and border security management.
- Central to the India–Nepal boundary dispute, especially after Nepal’s 2020 political map claim.
The Lipulekh Dispute
India’s Position
- Considers Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura as part of Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district.
- Has maintained administrative and security control for decades.
Nepal’s Position
- Claims the region as part of its sovereign territory.
- In 2020, Nepal published a new political map including Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura.
- This map was later enshrined in Nepal’s Constitution, making the claim legally binding within the country.
China’s Position
- Uses Lipulekh for trade with India.
- Treats the dispute as a bilateral issue between India and Nepal.
- Maintains neutrality, avoiding direct involvement to safeguard its interests with both nations.
Conclusion
- The Lipulekh Pass dispute remains a sensitive trilateral matter with India and Nepal at the core, and China watching cautiously.
- While the pass is significant for pilgrimage, trade, and strategic security, it has also become a symbol of sovereignty and territorial claims.
- Nepal’s decision to raise the matter at the SCO Summit 2025 reflects its determination to keep the issue alive on the international stage.
- However, a lasting resolution is most likely achievable only through bilateral dialogue between India and Nepal.
Source : TheHindu
