The Ministry of External Affairs said Thursday that the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage has traversed the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district since 1954, rejecting Nepal’s latest claim that the route is disputed territory. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters the route is a long‑standing arrangement and not a new development, directing media to a prior MEA statement for details.

Nepal objected on Sunday to India and China’s use of the pass for the annual pilgrimage, reviving a border dispute that began in 2020 when Kathmandu published a new political map asserting ownership of the area.

The MEA reiterated that Nepal’s assertions lack historical evidence and described any unilateral expansion of claims as untenable, while emphasizing India’s consistent position on the matter.

Jaiswal added that India remains ready for constructive dialogue with Nepal on all bilateral issues, including unresolved boundary questions, and expects diplomatic engagements to continue in the coming weeks.