Lipulekh boundary Issue-Recent Developments

January 17, 2022

India is currently widening the road to the Lipulekh pass. The Nepalese ruling party recently issued a statement objecting this. Also, Nepal has demanded India to withdraw its troops in the region. Nepal also claimed the Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura regions.

What is the recent issue?

The Prime Minster Narendra Modi recently said that India is working to expand the road to Lipulekh pass. He made these remarks during his visit to Haldwani in December 2021. The border issue has resurfaced since then.

The map issue

In 2020, Nepal published as revised political map. The map incorporated the Limpiyadhura territories, especially the source of Kali river.

Sugauli treaty issue

In 1816, British India and Nepal signed a treaty. It was signed after Nepal lost the Anglo – Nepalese war. According to the treaty, the entire lowlands between rivers rapti and kali will belong to British India. However, the treaty did not speak about the ridgeline. The subsequent surveys conducted by the Britishers showed the source of river kali in different regions. The issue between the countries is around demarcating this region.

Significance of Kalapani

The Lipulekh pass in the kalapani region is strategically important for the Kailash – Manasarovar pilgrimage.

What is the root of the issue?

Currently, all the three regions Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura are controlled by India. Nepal claims that it belongs to it.

Nepal’s stand

According to Nepal, the source of Kali river is at the high altitudes of the mountain ridges near Limpiyadhura. Thus, the entire slope and the stretch of Limpiyadhura belongs to Nepal.

India’s stand

Border begins at Kalapani, that is, where exactly the river begins. According to India, the river originates in the springs of lipulekh pass. The 19^th century administrative records of India show that the Kalapani was located in the Indian side.