Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: India has said that the Lipulekh Pass has been used by India for decades and dismissed Nepal’s revised map, which includes the area, as baseless.
Responding to Nepal’s claim that areas east of the Mahakali River like Limpiyadhura, Lipulek and Kalapani are an integral part of Nepal’s territory, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) claimed that border trade between India and China through Lipulekh Pass has been going on for decades.
“This trade had been disrupted in recent years due to COVID and other developments, and both sides have now agreed to resume it,” MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. “As regards territorial claims, our position remains that such claims are neither justified nor based on historical facts and evidence. Any unilateral artificial enlargement of territorial claims is untenable.”
The MEA also said India is open to constructive interaction with Nepal on resolving agreed outstanding boundary issues through dialogue and diplomacy.
