Nepali Congress Objects to India-China Agreement on Mansarovar Pilgrimage via Lipulekh Route

The Nepali Congress has expressed strong objections to the agreement between India and China to conduct the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage through the Lipulekh route. The Congress has reaffirmed that Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani are unequivocally Nepalese territories, while stating that it views the government’s diplomatic note on the matter positively. The party emphasized that border disputes should be resolved through diplomatic and political means and underscored the importance of unity among political parties on this issue. Kathmandu, 21 Baisakh.

The Central Working Committee meeting held today voiced dissatisfaction over the India-China agreement to allow the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage via Lipulekh. Post-meeting, Deputy General Secretary Uday Shamsher Jabara said, “Nepali Congress is deeply concerned about the agreement between India and China concerning the operation of the Mansarovar pilgrimage through Nepali territory at Lipulekh.”

He recalled that the Nepali Congress has maintained a clear stance on this matter, citing that in 2015, then Prime Minister Sushil Koirala had raised the issue through a diplomatic note to draw attention to it. The Congress stressed that border disputes must be resolved solely through diplomatic and political channels. “We must solve this through diplomatic means,” he stated.

The Congress concluded that political parties should avoid divisions on matters pertaining to international relations. “There should be no partisan division in international matters. We will stand with the government on international issues,” he added. “The government should also engage in dialogue with all political parties on this subject.”