Nepal Objects to Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lipulekh

Nepal has objected to the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand and has raised the issue through diplomatic protests with India and China. Nepal claims that Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani fall within its territory under the 1816 Sugauli Treaty.

Lipulekh Pass and the Yatra Route

Lipulekh Pass is a high-altitude mountain pass in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand near the India-China-Nepal tri-junction. India has used the route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra since 1954, and the route has also been linked with border trade and movement across the Himalayan frontier.

Territorial Claims and Treaty Reference

The 1816 Sugauli Treaty was signed between the British East India Company and the Kingdom of Nepal after the Anglo-Nepalese War. Nepal cites this treaty in support of its claim over the areas of Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani, which are part of the western border dispute between India and Nepal.

India-Nepal Boundary Dispute

India has rejected Nepal’s claim and has stated that the territorial assertion is not based on historical facts and evidence. India has also maintained that the use of Lipulekh Pass for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is not a new development and has been part of the pilgrimage route for decades.

Important Facts for Exams

• Lipulekh Pass is located in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand and lies close to the India-China-Nepal border.
• The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is a Hindu pilgrimage linked with Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
• The 1816 Sugauli Treaty is a key historical document in the India-Nepal boundary dispute.
• Kalapani and Limpiyadhura are other disputed areas in the western sector of the India-Nepal border.

Recent Developments

The 2026 Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is scheduled from June to August with 10 batches of 50 pilgrims each planned through Lipulekh Pass. Nepal’s latest protest is the second such objection since August 2025, when India and China announced a trade route through Lipulekh Pass.