Foreign affairs experts emphasize tripartite dialogue regarding agreement on Lipulek

Kathmandu, Sept 1: Experts on foreign policy and border-related issues have underscored the need for a tripartite dialogue among Nepal, India and China regarding recent agreement between India and China on reopening the Lipulekh trade route.

They also expressed qualm over the agreement signed on August 19 between India and China which allows the reoperation of the traditional trade route passing through Nepali territory.

They also suggested that the issue should be resolved through tripartite dialogue. 

In a press meet organized by the Press Chautari Nepal here today, CPN (UML) standing committee member and foreign affairs expert Dr Rajan Bhattarai emphasized that the Lipulekh related issues should be addressed through tripartite dialogue, supported by evidences.  

Bhattarai called for unity to safeguard Nepal's territorial integrity.

He referred to the Sugauli Treaty, which clearly mentions that Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura as Nepal's territory. He argued that this Treaty strengthens Nepal's claim over these lands.

"The Sugauli Treaty explicitly mentions that Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura as part of Nepal. If we do not accept the Sugauli Treaty, then Nepal's territory would extend from Tista in the east to Kangada in the west," argued Dr Bhattarai.

He reminded India's unilateral decision to alter its official map by including these disputed land, despite Nepal's diplomatic protest. 

He pointed out that after India ignored Nepal's diplomatic note on this matter. The government of Nepal revised its new map and incorporated those areas to asset its claim over the territory. 

Likewise, Nepal-India Border Study Committee's Coordinator Dr Bishnu Uprety mentioned that there were irrefutable evidences proving that Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura belong to Nepal. The Sugauli Treaty is the major he noted that during the British rule in India, there were vested interest in Nepal's natural, religious and trade resource.

He urged China to take the border issue with Nepal seriously.

Likewise, border expert Dr. Buddhinarayan Shrestha said that there were sufficient evidences to prove that Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura are Nepal's territory. 

He argued that while the issue was initially a bilateral matter between Nepal and India, it now has become a tripartite issue after India and China reached an understanding to reopen the trade route by using Lipulekh area.

"The government of three countries should engage in dialogue and address the matter through diplomatic dealings," he said.

It may be noted that Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who is currently on an official visit to China, raised the issue during a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

During the meeting, PM Oli clearly stated that Lipulekh belongs to Nepal. The Head of the Government also objected the recent India-China agreement on border trade through Lipulekh pass. (RSS)