Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: China and India have agreed to reopen border trade through Lipulekh Pass, a vantage point claimed by Nepal as its territory but controlled by India.
The agreement was reached during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to India, on August 18 and 19, at the invitation of Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
“Both sides agreed to the reopening of border trade through the three designated trading points, namely Lipulekh Pass, Shipki La Pass and Nathu La Pass,” reads the 12-point agreement posted on the website of India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
Similarly, the 12-point agreement posted on the website of the Chinese foreign ministry states, “Agreed to re-open the three traditional border trading markets, namely Renqinggang-Changgu, Pulan-Gunji and Jiuba-Namgya.”
While the Chinese statement does not mention Lipulekh Pass, the Pulan-Gunji route passes through the Lipulekh Pass.
Earlier, the two countries agreed to resume the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra for Indian citizens through Lipulekh Pass.
The two countries had reached an agreement to expand trade via Lipulekh in 2015 as well. The decision drew strong protest in Nepal and the government sent diplomatic notes to both countries, staking its claim to Lipulek Pass.
To assert its claim to Lipulekh, the government included the disputed territory in its official map in May 2020. The government also amended the constitution to include the map.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is visiting China and India later this month. It is not clear whether he will raise the issue with Indian and Chinese leaders.
