The Kalapani Imbroglio

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The new political map of Nepali comprising of the disputed lands of Kalapani, Limpuyadhura, Lipulekh, published on May 20, 2020. Photo: Nepal government

The dispute over Kalapani, between India and Nepal, was revived in November 2019 when India published a political map showing the newly created Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Both India and Nepal claim to Kalapani. On May 8, India inaugurated 80 km Darchula-Lipulekh pass link, cutting across the disputed Kalapani area, which is used by Indian pilgrims to Kailash Mansarovar.

On May 22, Nepal has released a new political map that claimed Kalapani, Limpiyadhura, and Lipulekh of Uttarakhand as part of Nepal's territory. The area of Susta (West Champaran district, Bihar) can also be noted on the map. Kalapani territory is an area under Indian administration as part of the Pithoragarh district in Uttarkhand state but is also claimed by Nepal. It also shares a border on the north with Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Source: CNN

Reasons for Conflict

The origin of conflict of the Kalapani and Lipulekh dates back to the treaty of Sangauli, which was signed in December 1815 and ratified on March 04, 1816.
The treaty of Sagauli was an agreement between the Gurkha chiefs of Nepal and the British Indian government that ended the Anglo-Nepalese (Gurkha) War (1814-16). By the treaty, Nepal renounced all claim to the disputed Tarai, or low land country and ceded its conquests west of the Kali River and extending to the Sutlej River. Nepal remained independent, but it received a British resident with the status of an ambassador to an independent country rather than of the controlling agent of the supreme government in an Indian State.
Boundaries of Nepal altered by the Sughauli Treaty
As per Article V of the Sagauli treaty, "West of the Kali River" belongs to India. The treaty fails to mention the source of the Kali (Sharda/ Mahakali) river, which has become the bone of contention between the two countries. Nepal's claim to the reason is based on this river as it became the marker of the boundary of the kingdom of Nepal. The source of river Kali, according to Nepal, is in the mountains of Limpiyadhura, which is higher in altitude than the rest of the river's flow. India, on the other hand, says that the border begins at Kalapani, which India says is the source of the river.

The dispute is mainly because of the varying interpretation of the origin of the river and various tributaries that slice through the mountains. While Nepal's claim of the territory East of the Kali is based on the Limpiyadhura origin, India says the river takes the name Kali near Kalapani.

Importance of Lipulekh

Lipulekh pass, also known as Lipu-Lekh Pass/ Qiangla or Tri-corner is a high altitude mountain pass situated in Western Himalayas. It is an international mountain pass between India, China and Nepal. Lipulekh and Kalapani are geo-strategic and geo-political importance as India can keep against any attempt of encroachment by China or on movements of People's Liberation Army (PLA) in case of an armed conflict with China. The Lipulekh pass is geo-economic as well since this pass is used by Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims and tourist on their way to Kailash Mansarovar.

India-Nepal Border Conflict

The dispute of Lipulekh and Kalapani is not new. It has remained unresolved since 1962 as Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) are posted since the India-China war of the same year. To resolve the border dispute issue, many ministerial meets and visits have had occurred in the past with no conclusive outcomes.

In 2015, Nepal raised a severe objection when India and China signed Lipulekh agreement which renewed India's Mansarovar pilgrimage connection. Neither of the sides consulted Nepal or even sought its opinion before that agreement. The issue is dangling in the air for so long, and it is going in neither direction. There is a hope that both the countries will resolve this issue through friendly consultations and refrain themselves from taking any unilateral action that may complicate the situation in the future.

India-Nepal Relations/ Way Forward

Despite having "Special Relations" with historical, cultural, political, economic, traditional and religious links, Nepal always has grievances against India. However, since the "Economic Blockade" of 2015, where Kathmandu saw a "Hidden Indian Hand", there is a massive upsurge of anti-India feeling amongst the political and the general population. To maintain friendly relations with neighbouring country, India needs to resolve this border issue through serious dialogue, unlike in the past.

Disclaimer: The views are personal and do not necessarily reflect the views of any other individual, institute or government body.

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