KATHMANDU, Aug 22: Lawmakers in the National Assembly have strongly objected to the recent agreement between India and China to use Nepal’s Lipulekh Pass for bilateral trade, calling it an attack on Nepal’s sovereignty and national identity.
Speaking during Friday’s special session, members of parliament drew the government’s attention through the Speaker Devraj Ghimire, urging it to seek clarification and prevent such activities through diplomatic channels.
Lawmaker Gopal Bhattarai said the India-China decision to open trade through Lipulekh was an act of undermining smaller nations. He stressed the need for Nepal to take strong diplomatic initiatives to resolve the matter, recalling that in the past similar agreements were halted after Nepal sent diplomatic notes. He further urged Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to prioritize the Lipulekh issue during his upcoming visit to India.
Similarly, lawmaker Jag Prasad Sharma said the agreement was a direct assault on Nepal’s sovereignty and called for immediate diplomatic engagement. He emphasized that Nepal’s borders are defined by the Kali River, not by “fabricated documents,” and urged all political parties to unite in protecting Kalapani and Lipulekh.
Lawmaker Krishna Bahadur Rokaya expressed grave concern over the bilateral deal, pointing out that Nepal was not even informed. He insisted the issue be addressed through a diplomatic note and urged unity among Nepal’s political parties to back a mature government-led initiative.
Lawmaker Dr Beduram Bhusal accused India and China of encroaching on Nepal’s territory, stressing the urgency of diplomatic resolution. He noted that Kalapani and Lipulekh are historically and legally established as Nepal’s territory, citing treaties and studies. Recalling how a similar agreement was stopped when then-Prime Minister Sushil Koirala sent a diplomatic note, he urged the government to act in the same spirit.