Imperative of Strong Diplomatic Initiative in Border Dispute

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has raised Nepal’s concerns with Chinese President Xi Jinping over the Lipulekh agreement reached between India and China. During his meeting with President Xi at the Tianjin Guest House on Saturday, Oli expressed clear objections to the plan to convert Nepal’s Lipulekh into a trade route—a matter bilaterally agreed upon by India and China. According to Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai, Prime Minister Oli reiterated Nepal’s longstanding position that, under the 1816 Sugauli Treaty, all territories east of the Mahakali River are sovereign Nepali land. He also conveyed Nepal’s expectation that China will respect and support this position. This marks a positive diplomatic step by the government in addressing the sensitive dispute. Since India and China signed their agreement to expand trade via Lipulekh pass, Nepal’s ties with both neighbours have grown uneasy. While Oli is in China this week, he is also preparing to visit India soon. It is essential that Nepal approaches these visits with internal preparedness and a unified national position. Although the government has reportedly sent diplomatic notes to both India and China, the contents have not been made public. At times of such disputes, citizens deserve transparency, and the country must present a united front. Division and discord will only weaken Nepal’s voice; unity is the only way to defend national interests effectively.