Nepal’s Socialist Front urges govt to ‘reclaim’ Lipulekh

Kathmandu, Aug 22 (PTI) Nepal’s Socialist Front on Friday criticised the recent agreement between India and China to resume trade through Lipulekh pass and urged the government to initiate diplomatic efforts to “reclaim disputed territories”.

“The recent understanding reached between India and China on Lipulekh has inflicted a serious blow on Nepal's sovereign rights,” the Socialist Front, an alliance of four left-leaning opposition parties, said in a statement.

The Front claimed that “historical evidence stands as proof that Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani are inseparable parts of Nepal”.

In a statement signed by CPN (Maoist Center) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', CPN (Unified Socialist) chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal, Nepal Communist Party (Revolutionary) general secretary Netra Bikram Chanda and Nepal Socialist Party chairman Mahendra Raya Yadav, the Front raised objection to India and China’s agreement on Lipulekh.

The Front said “necessary diplomatic initiatives to return our territories have not been made so far”.

It urged the government to “oppose the move and make efforts to return the Nepalese territories”.

On Tuesday, India and China agreed to reopen border trade through Lipulekh and two other passes.

Nepal’s foreign ministry on Wednesday objected to the decision.

India categorically rejected Kathmandu’s claims on the territory which it said are "neither justified nor based on historical facts and evidence".

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Thursday said, “Our position in this regard has been consistent and clear. Border trade between India and China through Lipulekh pass commenced in 1954 and has been going on for decades.” Jaiswal said the trade had been disrupted in recent years due to COVID-19 pandemic and other developments, and both sides have now agreed to resume it.

In 2020, Nepal triggered a border row by issuing a political map that showed Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh as part of the country. India had strongly trashed the claims. PTI SBP SKS GSP GSP