Tianjin, China, August 31(HS): Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, during a high-profile bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Tianjin, registered a firm objection to the recent India-China agreement to reopen the Lipulekh border trade route. Oli asserted that Lipulekh, along with Limpiyadhura and Kalapani, is sovereign Nepalese territory as per the 1816 Sugauli Treaty and Nepal’s constitution. He urged President Xi to recognize Nepal’s claim and opposed any India-China agreement utilizing Nepali land without Nepal’s consent.

In response, President Xi acknowledged Nepal’s territorial claim but emphasized that the issue should be resolved bilaterally between Nepal and India, as China does not intend to be a party to this dispute. Xi expressed respect for Nepal’s stance and affirmed China’s willingness to support Nepal’s development aspirations, cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, and multilateral collaboration through forums like the UN and SCO.

The meeting underscored Nepal’s determination to safeguard its territorial sovereignty while enhancing strategic ties with China, including a request for support in Nepal’s bid for SCO membership. Oli also highlighted areas of mutual cooperation such as fertilizer, petroleum exploration, climate resilience, and people-to-people connections.

The bilateral engagement marked a significant moment in Nepal-China relations amid a sensitive border issue, reflecting Nepal's diplomatic resolve to assert its sovereignty while continuing to strengthen ties with China for regional development and prosperity.

This development comes in the context of growing regional complexities involving India, China, and Nepal over historic border disputes and trade agreements. The Prime Minister’s meeting with President Xi and other world leaders at the SCO Summit signals Nepal’s active role in regional diplomacy and strategic partnerships.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar