The Lipulekh Pass has once again become a subject of debate between India and Nepal. While India has been using the route for trade with China and for pilgrimages to Mount Kailash, Nepal claims the area as its own territory. The issue is not new—it has been a bone of contention for decades, but it gained more attention in recent years when Nepal officially included the region in its political map.
India has rejected Nepal’s claims, saying that border trade with China through the Lipulekh Pass has been going on for decades and is backed by history. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also said that unilateral changes to territorial boundaries are not acceptable. Still, Nepal continues to press its case using historical treaties and old maps.
The Lipulekh Pass is located at a height of around 17,000 feet in the Himalayas. It lies at the trijunction of India, Nepal, and Tibet. The pass connects Uttarakhand’s Kumaon region in India with Tibet’s Taklakot in China. For Indians, it is especially important because it is the shortest route to travel to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar, both considered sacred in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Thousands of pilgrims use this route every year.
Nepal, however, claims that the Lipulekh Pass, along with Kalapani and Limpiyadhura, lies within its borders. In 2020, Nepal even released a new political map showing these three regions as its territory, a move strongly criticized by India.
Nepal bases its claim on old maps and administrative records from the early 19th century. According to Nepal, these areas belonged to it before the Anglo-Nepalese War of 1814. After the war, the Sugauli Treaty of 1816 was signed with the British East India Company. Nepal argues that under the treaty, all land to the east of the Kali River should belong to Nepal. It further claims that the Kali River originates from Limpiyadhura, which is northwest of the Lipulekh Pass. If this interpretation is accepted, then the entire area, including Lipulekh, would fall under Nepal’s territory.
India, on the other hand, disagrees with this interpretation and has maintained administrative control over Kalapani and Lipulekh. Indian officials have pointed out that trade with Tibet through the Lipulekh Pass has been carried out since 1954, and that the region has been under India’s control for decades.
The Lipulekh Pass is not just about history or maps—it is a strategically important route for both India and China.
For India, the pass is important for three main reasons:
Pilgrimage route – It provides the shortest and most convenient path for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. A road built by India in 2020 has made the journey much faster, cutting travel time to just two or three days.
Military importance – Because of its location in the Himalayas, the pass allows India to move troops quickly in case of tensions in the border areas. This gives India a strategic advantage in monitoring and defending its northern frontiers.
Trade with China – The pass provides direct connectivity to Tibet, allowing smoother trade between India and China.
For China, the Lipulekh Pass is part of its wider interest in building stronger transport and trade links across the Himalayas. In 2015, China expressed support for Nepal’s claim over Lipulekh, partly as a way to counter India’s influence in the region. However, with trade resuming through the pass, China now sees it as a chance to strengthen its ties with India. This is especially significant after the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, when relations between India and China became tense.
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The Lipulekh Pass dispute is not just about geography—it touches on history, religion, politics, and international strategy. For Nepal, the issue is about protecting its sovereignty and historical claims. For India, the region is linked not only to faith and tradition but also to national security and trade.
India has said it remains open to dialogue with Nepal to resolve the matter peacefully. At the same time, it has firmly rejected Nepal’s unilateral actions, like releasing a new political map. For now, the disagreement remains unresolved, but both countries continue to share deep cultural, religious, and people-to-people ties.
The Lipulekh Pass, therefore, is more than a mountain crossing—it is a symbol of the complex relationship between two neighbors who share history, borders, and strong cultural connections, but also face disputes that need careful handling in the years ahead.
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