Nepal’s foreign relations experts have expressed their utter surprise over the decision of the Chinese government to sign an agreement with India on expanding border trade between the two countries through Lipu Lekh pass.

Whereas Nepal’s subservient government has so far failed to formally forward its claim over the region (including Lipu-Lekh Pass) in the district of Darchula, Nepal’s border experts claim that India has been since its humiliating defeat with China in the 1962 war, has been illegally occupying Nepali territory in Kalapani, including Lipu Lekh.

India has also illegally set up a military camp in Lipu Lekh region.

The Point No. 28 in the 41-point joint statement of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese Premier Li Kegiang issued during Indian Prime Minister Modi's visit to China under the subtitle “New Avenues for Cooperation” mentions:

“The two sides agreed to hold negotiation on augmenting the list of trade commodities, and expand border trade at Nathu La, Qiangla/Lipu-Lekh Pass and Shipki La."

Addressing an interaction program in Kathmandu, June 3, 2015, Nepal’s erstwhile Ambassador to China, Rajeshwar Acharya suggested the government of Nepal to raise its concern with both the countries through a formal letter.

“It is surprising for China to sign an agreement with India knowing that the region is an integral part of Nepal,” said Acharya.

Foreign Relation expert Hiranya Lal Shrestha said, “It not only tantamount to disrespect to Nepal’s territorial integrity, it is equally disheartening to see that the two countries have arrived at such a deal.”

If not settled through diplomatic channels, the government of Nepal should not hesitate to approach the international court to settle the issue, said Shrestha.

Professor Surendra KC made it clear that India going by its past record is almost certain that will never return forcefully occupied Nepali lands.

“Making them formal requests and writing letters is not going to make any difference”, he said, “I will commit a suicide if they return our lands peacefully,” he said.

“If we want our land back from India we have to wage a war with India,” he said and continued, “To fight with India, the government of Nepal needs to have the courage.”

“The government that is even scared to deploy army along the Kalapani region to protect our border certainly does not have the courage to wage a war with India,” said K.C.

Is China still a reliable partner of Nepal?

On the other hand, Nepal’s renowned border expert Buddhi Narayan Shrestha opined that it was double standard on the part of Nepal’s immediate neighbours, India and China to sign a deal to expand trade through the region that is a part of Nepal.

All evidences including official maps, documents and other evidences clearly show that Lipulekh located in Vyas VDC of Darchula District explicitly belongs to Nepal, said Buddhi Narayan Shrestha and adds, it is highhandedness on the part of India to continue occupy the Nepali territory.

Mr. Shrestha in one of his write-ups for Telegraph Nepal writes:

Altogether 26 out of 75 districts of Nepal have border linkages with India, of which 21 are undergoing the violation of their territory by India. There are 54 such border points within those 21 districts where Nepal’s territory seems to be encroached upon. The total area under encroachment is estimated at around 59,970 hectare of which Kalapani Limpiyadhura alone covers 37,840 ha, Susta area 14,860 ha, various places in Jhapa district cover around 1,630 ha, and other places in other districts occupy around 5,640 ha.

@telegraph