भाद्र २८, २०८२ / 2025-09-12
भाद्र २८, २०८२ / 2025-09-12
Tianjin (China): Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, in his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping today, raised Nepal’s objection to the recent China-India agreement to open a trade route via the Lipulek pass.
During their bilateral talks at the Tianjin State Guest House, where PM Oli arrived to participate in the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, he firmly conveyed Nepal’s stance that Lipulek is an inseparable part of Nepal’s territory and cannot be used in a bilateral trade deal between China and India.
Quoting the Sugauli Treaty of 1816, Oli stressed that all lands east of the Mahakali River belong to sovereign Nepal. He added that while Nepal never allows its territory to be used against any country, it equally rejects decisions made by other nations involving Nepal’s land. Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai shared that the Prime Minister expressed confidence that China would support Nepal’s position.
In response, President Xi acknowledged Nepal’s concerns and said that the matter should be resolved through dialogue between Nepal and India. He emphasized that China had no objection to Nepal’s stance.
The meeting also covered various aspects of Nepal–China relations, with both leaders agreeing to strengthen cooperation through established mechanisms. This marks Oli’s fourth official visit to China as prime minister, and his second in 2025.
Discussions included speeding up the implementation of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects, promoting Nepal’s socioeconomic development through BRI, and expanding cross-border connectivity. According to PM Oli’s Economic and Development Advisor, Dr. Yuba Raj Khatiwada, China showed readiness to open additional border points and to assist in enhancing commercial agricultural production, thereby supporting Nepal’s exports to China.
China also reiterated its commitment to help transform Nepal from a landlocked to a land-linked nation.
The meeting was attended by former Deputy Prime Minister and lawmaker Purna Bahadur Khadka, Education Minister Raghuji Pant, Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Badri Prasad Pandey, Dr. Khatiwada, lawmaker Chhabilal Bishwakarma, Foreign Secretary Rai, Nepal’s Ambassador to China Dr. Krishna Prasad Oli, China’s Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song, among others.
