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.
Our founding father Prithvi Narayan Shah famously described Nepal as a “yam between two boulders,” a metaphor that remains strikingly relevant today. While Nepal may be small in size, sovereignty is not defined by territory alone. Nepal’s rich history and culture reinforce its sovereign identity, which must be safeguarded through strong national resolve and proactive international diplomacy. The role of past diplomats in protecting Nepal’s frontiers should not be forgotten, nor should the importance of diversifying ties beyond India and China. Nepal has long pursued independent foreign policy, maintaining relations with Pakistan, being the first in South Asia to recognize Israel and cultivating enduring ties with the United Kingdom, the United States, and global institutions. The unilateral actions of India and China in Nepal’s territory, without consultation with Kathmandu, expose a weakening of Nepal’s diplomatic leverage. This calls for a more robust approach. In addition to bilateral negotiations, international law offers mechanisms for small, landlocked states to protect their rights—mechanisms that Nepal should be prepared to invoke.
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The agreement between India and China to begin trade via Lipulekh was reached earlier in 2015 as well. The agreement, signed when Nepal was reeling from the earthquake, underscored how powerful neighbours can impose decisions unilaterally. India has since pursued road construction despite Nepal’s objections, while China—despite its professed sensitivity to the sovereignty of small states—also signed on to the plan. Global geopolitical shifts, particularly in the context of U.S.–China rivalry, have only compounded Nepal’s challenges. This situation demonstrates the fragility of Nepal’s diplomatic position. Now more than ever, government and opposition forces must act in unison to safeguard sovereignty. Nepal’s unique geography demands careful, balanced diplomacy, not opportunistic manoeuvring. Past attempts to play one neighbour against the other have backfired; no external power can be relied upon for lasting guarantees. National interest demands collective effort, consistency and clarity. Today, Nepal’s voice resonates more widely in the global arena than ever before. It must use this platform to ensure that the Lipulekh dispute and the broader question of safeguarding national sovereignty, is heard loud and clear across the international community.
