NEW DELHI: The ministry of external affairs on Wednesday rejected Nepal's territorial claims over Lipulekh pass , saying it remains "open to constructive interaction" for the resolution of outstanding boundary issues.
The ministry said that the claims made by Nepal is neither justified nor based on historical facts and evidence.
"We have noted the comments of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal related to resumption of border trade between India and China through the Lipulekh Pass," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
"Our position in this regard has been consistent and clear. Border trade between India and China through Lipulekh pass had commenced in 1954 and has been going on for decades. This trade had been disrupted in recent years due to Covid and other developments, and both sides have now agreed to resume it," he said.
"As regards territorial claims, our position remains that such claims are neither justified nor based on historical facts and evidence. Any unilateral artificial enlargement of territorial claims is untenable. India remains open to constructive interaction with Nepal on resolving agreed outstanding boundary issues through dialogue and diplomacy," he added.
This comes after India and China agreed to reopen border trade through Lipulekh Pass during Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi’s visit to New Delhi.
“Both sides agreed to the re-opening of border trade through the three designated trading points, namely Lipulekh Pass, Shipki La Pass and Nathu La Pass,” a joint communique between New Delhi and Beijing said.
Nepal has long claimed Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura as part of its sovereign land. Tensions escalated in November 2019 when India published a new political map incorporating Kalapani and Lipulekh within its boundary.
The ministry said that the claims made by Nepal is neither justified nor based on historical facts and evidence.
"We have noted the comments of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal related to resumption of border trade between India and China through the Lipulekh Pass," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
"Our position in this regard has been consistent and clear. Border trade between India and China through Lipulekh pass had commenced in 1954 and has been going on for decades. This trade had been disrupted in recent years due to Covid and other developments, and both sides have now agreed to resume it," he said.
"As regards territorial claims, our position remains that such claims are neither justified nor based on historical facts and evidence. Any unilateral artificial enlargement of territorial claims is untenable. India remains open to constructive interaction with Nepal on resolving agreed outstanding boundary issues through dialogue and diplomacy," he added.
This comes after India and China agreed to reopen border trade through Lipulekh Pass during Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi’s visit to New Delhi.
“Both sides agreed to the re-opening of border trade through the three designated trading points, namely Lipulekh Pass, Shipki La Pass and Nathu La Pass,” a joint communique between New Delhi and Beijing said.
Nepal has long claimed Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura as part of its sovereign land. Tensions escalated in November 2019 when India published a new political map incorporating Kalapani and Lipulekh within its boundary.
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