Nepal on Monday reiterated its claim over the Lipulekh region while stressing the need for dialogue with India to resolve the long-standing boundary dispute, a day after New Delhi rejected Kathmandu's position.
India on Sunday firmly dismissed Nepal's objection to the proposed Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand, describing Kathmandu's territorial claim as a "unilateral artificial enlargement" that it considers untenable.
India's response came shortly after Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement objecting to preparations by India and China for the annual pilgrimage through Lipulekh, asserting that the area falls within Nepal's territory.
Clarifying the government's stance, Nepal government spokesperson Sasmit Pokharel said the country is not attempting to expand its borders but maintains that the territory rightfully belongs to Nepal.
He added that the issue should be addressed through diplomatic engagement and cooperation between the two nations.
Pokharel, who also serves as Minister for Education, Science and Technology, noted that Kathmandu has already conveyed its position to India through a formal communication.
Responding to the claims, India's Ministry of External Affairs stated that Lipulekh Pass has been a well-established route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra since 1954 and that the current plans do not represent any new development.
It further asserted that Nepal's claims lack a historical and factual basis and are therefore not acceptable.
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which leads to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake in China's Tibet Autonomous Region, holds deep religious significance for Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists. The pilgrimage resumed last year after a nearly five-year pause as part of efforts to improve ties between India and China.
Earlier, on April 30, the Ministry of External Affairs announced that this year's yatra will be held between June and August through two routes-Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand and Nathu La in Sikkim.