Nepal Opposes China-India Agreement on Opening Trade Route via Lipulek Pass

 Tianjin (China), Aug 30 – Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, in his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping today, strongly objected to the China-India agreement to use the Lipulek pass as a trade route.


Speaking at the Tianjin State Guest House after arriving to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025, PM Oli stressed that Lipulek is an inseparable part of Nepal’s territory. He reminded that, as per the 1816 Sugauli Treaty, all land east of the Mahakali River belongs to Nepal. Oli said Nepal trusts China will respect and support this position.


“Nepal will not allow its territory to be used against any other country. At the same time, it rejects any agreement between other countries involving Nepal’s land,” PM Oli told President Xi, according to Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai.


In response, President Xi said he had no objections to Nepal’s stance and added that the matter should be resolved through dialogue between Nepal and India.


The two leaders also discussed strengthening Nepal-China relations, including expediting projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), opening more border points, and boosting Nepal’s agricultural exports to China. China also expressed support for helping Nepal transition from a “landlocked” to a “land-linked” country.


This is PM Oli’s fourth official visit to China as Prime Minister and his second visit in 2025.


The meeting was attended by senior Nepali officials, including former Deputy Prime Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka, Education Minister Raghuji Pant, Tourism Minister Badri Prasad Pandey, Dr. Yuba Raj Khatiwada, Chhabilal Bishwakarma, Secretary Rai, Ambassador Dr. Krishna Prasad Oli, as well as Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song.

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