Nepal has objected to the use of the Lipulekh route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, stating that the area falls within its sovereign territory, while India has said the claims are not based on historical facts and that the issue should be resolved through dialogue.
Kathmandu Raises Objection to Pilgrimage Route
Nepal has urged Indian pilgrims not to undertake the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via the Lipulekh Pass, bringing the India-Nepal border dispute back into international focus. The Nepal government stated that Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani are part of its sovereign territory. India responded that the route has been in traditional use for decades and rejected Nepal’s claims as not based on historical facts.
Objection Issued to India and China
Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that under the 1816 Treaty of Sugauli, Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura belong to Nepal. It added that objections have been formally communicated to both India and China through diplomatic channels.
The Nepal government said it has previously asked India to halt road construction, trade and tourism activities in the area. It stated that the proposed use of Lipulekh for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra concerns its territorial sovereignty.
India Reiterates Position
Responding to Nepal’s remarks, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India’s position has been consistent and clear. He stated that Lipulekh Pass has been a traditional route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra since 1954.
India reiterated that Nepal’s claims are not supported by facts or historical evidence. The Ministry of External Affairs said boundary issues should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, but artificial and unilateral expansion of boundaries is not acceptable. India also stated that it is ready for positive engagement with Nepal on all pending issues.
Details of the Kalapani-Lipulekh Dispute
Kalapani is a strategic region near the borders of India, Nepal and China. The Kali or Mahakali river originating from the area is considered the basis of the boundary between India and Nepal.
The 1816 Treaty of Sugauli between British authorities and Nepal’s Gorkha rulers defined that land west of the Kali river belongs to India and land to the east belongs to Nepal. The dispute centres on the identification of the river’s true source.
India considers the eastern stream as the origin of the river, while Nepal considers the western stream as the actual source. Both countries claim Kalapani and Lipulekh based on these interpretations.
Strategic Importance of Lipulekh Pass
Lipulekh Pass is considered important not only for religious purposes but also strategically. Located in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district, it lies close to the India-Nepal-China tri-junction.
After the 1962 India-China war, India increased security in the area. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police is currently deployed there. The location allows monitoring of Chinese activities.
In 2015, India and China reopened the Lipulekh route to facilitate trade and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which Nepal had also opposed at the time.
Tensions After 2020 Road Construction
In May 2020, India inaugurated an approximately 80-kilometre road from Pithoragarh to Lipulekh Pass to facilitate the pilgrimage. Nepal opposed the construction, stating that the road was built in territory it claims, leading to increased diplomatic tensions.
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026 Schedule
The Government of India has released the full schedule for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026, which is set to begin on 4 July. The pilgrimage will be conducted via the Lipulekh route in Uttarakhand and the Nathu La route in Sikkim.
A total of 1,000 pilgrims will undertake the yatra through both routes. Of these, 500 pilgrims will travel via Lipulekh in 10 batches, with the first group departing from Delhi on 4 July.
Changes in Travel Format
Most of the journey will now be completed by road. Previously, pilgrims had to trek more than 60 kilometres, but the trekking distance has been reduced to approximately 38 kilometres.
The total journey will cover about 1,738 kilometres, with most of the travel by vehicle, making it more accessible for elderly pilgrims and first-time participants.
Religious Significance of 2026
According to religious beliefs, 2026 is considered the “Agni Ashwa Year,” regarded as auspicious in Hindu, Buddhist and Jain traditions.
It is believed that one circumambulation of Mount Kailash in this year is equivalent to multiple circumambulations in ordinary years, leading to expectations of increased participation from pilgrims worldwide.
