Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The two major ruling coalition partners, Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML, have strongly opposed the recent agreement between India and China to resume cross-border trade through Lipulek, calling it an infringement on Nepal’s sovereignty.
Speaking at the meeting of the House of Representatives on Thursday, NC General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa said the deal reached between the two countries was unacceptable as it disregarded Nepal’s role and concerns. “We have come to know that our two neighbors, India and China, have signed an agreement on Lipulek in our absence. The NC expresses its serious disagreement with this behavior. It is objectionable and unacceptable,” Thapa said.
He also urged the government to move forward with broader consultations, stressing the need for political unity on such sensitive issues. “The government should include everyone in the initiative it has taken. On this issue, we stood together yesterday, and we must stand together today as well,” he said.
Thapa also warned against turning the matter into partisan politics or extreme nationalism.
UML Chief Whip Mahesh Bartuala also condemned the agreement between China and India, saying that Nepal cannot accept any agreement concerning Lipulek, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani without its consent. “These areas are part of Nepal’s territory. Any deal between India and China regarding border trade, without Nepal’s knowledge and approval, is unacceptable,” Bartuala said in the lower house on Thursday.
He added that while countries may differ in size by geography, economy or population, sovereignty and independence are equal for all states. “If Nepal’s sovereignty and independence are interfered with, we will resist and strongly oppose it,” he warned.
He also urged the government to resolve the matter through high-level diplomatic dialogue.
