Mayor Balen Shah Requests PM Oli to Highlight Nepal’s Claim Over Lipulekh in China Visit

Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah has requested Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to emphasize Nepal’s sovereignty over the Lipulekh pass during his official visit to China.

Prime Minister Oli departed for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in China on Saturday morning via Himalaya Airlines.

Shortly after his departure, Mayor Shah posted on Facebook, urging the Prime Minister to remind Chinese authorities that Lipulekh is part of Nepal. “Best wishes for your China visit, Prime Minister,” Shah wrote. “The recent agreement between India and China to resume trade via the Lipulekh tri-junction was made without Nepal’s consent, infringing on our sovereignty. Please make sure China is reminded that this territory belongs to us.”

The Lipulekh issue has resurfaced after India and China reportedly reached the trade agreement without consulting Nepal, reigniting public debate over the disputed Himalayan pass.