India on Sunday rejected Nepal’s objection to the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra being conducted through Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand. The government made it clear that Nepal’s territorial claims over the region are not valid and are not supported by historical facts or evidence.

The response came after Nepal raised concerns over the route of the pilgrimage. Earlier in the day, the Nepal government sent diplomatic notes to both India and China objecting to the use of Lipulekh Pass for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Kathmandu has claimed that the area falls within its territory. Nepal’s foreign ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Poudel Chhetri stated that these concerns had been officially communicated to both neighbouring countries through diplomatic channels.

Reacting to the development, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed Nepal’s claims in the context of the annual pilgrimage. He reiterated that India’s position on the issue has remained consistent over time.

“As regards territorial claims, India has consistently maintained that such claims are neither justified nor based on historical facts and evidence. Such unilateral artificial enlargement of territorial claims is untenable,” Jaiswal said.

He also highlighted that Lipulekh Pass has been a well-established route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra for decades. According to him, the route has been in use since 1954, making it a long-standing and recognised pathway for pilgrims. He emphasised that the current use of the route is not a recent development.

“India remains open to a constructive interaction with Nepal on all issues in the bilateral relationship, including on resolving agreed outstanding boundary issues through dialogue and diplomacy,” Jaiswal said.

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra holds religious importance as it involves travel to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake in the Tibet region. The pilgrimage is scheduled to take place between June and August this year. The government has planned to send ten batches of pilgrims through Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand. Each batch will consist of 50 people. In addition to this route, another ten batches, also with 50 pilgrims each, will travel through Nathu La Pass in Sikkim.

The yatra had also been conducted through Lipulekh Pass in 2025. This marked the resumption of the pilgrimage after a gap of five years. The restart was part of broader efforts by India and China to normalise their relations after a prolonged military stand-off along the Line of Actual Control.

On the other hand, Nepal has continued to assert its claim over the disputed region. The country’s foreign ministry spokesperson referred to the Sugauli Treaty of 1816 while explaining its position. He stated that areas such as Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani are integral parts of Nepal’s territory under the terms of the treaty.

Nepal has also urged India to avoid all activities in the region. This includes road construction, border trade and the organisation of pilgrimages. Kathmandu maintains that such actions go against its territorial claims and should be reconsidered.

Despite these objections, India has firmly maintained its stance. The government has stressed that its position is based on historical understanding and established practice. At the same time, it has indicated its willingness to resolve differences through dialogue.

The issue highlights the ongoing border concerns between the two countries. While India continues to carry forward the pilgrimage through a traditional route, Nepal has raised diplomatic objections, keeping the matter sensitive. However, India’s response makes it clear that it does not recognise Nepal’s claims over Lipulekh Pass and sees the matter as settled from its perspective.