Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah, addressing the Parliament for the first time since taking office, announced that his government is engaging not only India but also the United Kingdom and China to discuss the ongoing Lipulekh Pass border dispute.Shah stated that the issue traces back to the period of British India, which is why he believes international attention is relevant.He also acknowledged that territorial encroachments have occurred on both sides, with Nepal reportedly occupying some Indian land and vice versa.

The Lipulekh Pass has been a longstanding point of contention between India and Nepal, particularly after Nepal issued a political map including Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani, citing the Sugauli Treaty of 1816.

India has consistently rejected Nepal’s claims, emphasising that the pass has historically been a route for the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage and a strategic trade corridor involving China.The dispute intensified after India and China resumed the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and Nepal objected to trade resumption through the pass in 2025.

The Nepalese Prime Minister stressed that all matters would be resolved through diplomatic dialogue, reflecting his government’s commitment to peaceful resolution while involving international stakeholders where relevant.