MEA rejects Nepal’s claims over Lipulekh after India, China restart trade through border points

India on Wednesday (August 20, 2025) rejected Nepal’s objection to resumption of India-China border trade through the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand, stating that Kathmandu’s arguments are not based on “historical facts”.

“Our position in this regard has been consistent and clear. Border trade between India and China through Lipulekh Pass had commenced in 1954 and has been going on for decades. This trade had been disrupted in recent years due to COVID and other developments, and both sides have now agreed to resume it,” said Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs.

“As regards territorial claims, our position remains that such claims are neither justified nor based on historical facts and evidence. Any unilateral artificial enlargement of territorial claims is untenable,” he said.

“India remains open to constructive interaction with Nepal on resolving agreed outstanding boundary issues through dialogue and diplomacy,” Mr. Jaiswal added.

Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday objected to the resumption of border trade between India and China that was announced during the India visit of Wang Yi, China’s Foreign Minister on Tuesday (August 19, 2025). The development acquires diplomatic significance as Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri earlier this week (August 17-18, 2025) visited Nepal and invited Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli to visit India in September .

“The Nepalese government is clear that the official map of Nepal has been included in the constitution of Nepal and that the map shows Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani east of the Mahakali River as integral parts of Nepal,” said the press statement from MoFA of Nepal after India in a bid to improve ties with China announced that border trade with China would resume through Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand, Shipki La Pass in Himachal Pradesh, and Nathu La Pass in Sikkim.