KATHMANDU, Aug 21: Former Foreign Minister and Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal (RPP-N) Chairperson Kamal Thapa has said that India and China have attacked Nepal’s sovereignty by recently agreeing to resume trade through Lipulekh.
Responding on social media to the agreement reached on August 20, Thapa said, “In the context of repeated disregard for Nepal’s sovereignty, I urge the Government of Nepal to raise this issue more forcefully. I also request that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summon both the Indian and Chinese ambassadors to formally protest this agreement.”
He further urged Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to strongly present Nepal’s objection and stance on this matter at the highest level during his upcoming visits to China and India. “I appreciate the recent statement issued by the Government of Nepal opposing the latest understanding reached in New Delhi between India and China,” Thapa said.
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Oli noted that under the Sugauli Treaty signed in 1816 between Nepal and then-British India, all territory east of the Mahakali River belongs to Nepal. “Despite this historical fact, India has maintained unauthorized control over areas including Limpiyadhura, Kalapani, Gunji, and Lipulekh,” Thapa said.
Oli recalled that discussions on this issue have taken place at various levels between Nepal and India. According to him, India itself had previously accepted Lipulekh and Kalapani as disputed territories and had committed to resolving the matter through dialogue.
“However, disregarding that understanding and without Nepal’s consent, India and China have repeatedly reached agreements to facilitate movement and trade through Lipulekh, a tri-junction boundary point,” he wrote.
Thapa added that Nepal has continuously drawn the attention of both India and China to this matter through diplomatic channels. “The disregard of Nepal’s sovereignty, a legitimate and internationally recognized issue, by our two neighboring countries is objectionable. This is an attack on Nepal’s sovereignty,” he said.
