“All leaders and party workers who ignore Lipulekh are traitors; may we not have to make them wear garlands of shoes and parade them.”
The 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Tianjin Summit is the 25th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO. It is scheduled to be held from August 31 to September 1, 2025, in Tianjin, People's Republic of China. This will be the fifth time China is hosting the annual SCO summit.
The people of Nepal have demanded that Nepal raise the issue of Lipulekh during this summit. It has been stated that if this issue is not raised at the summit, Nepal’s political leaders will be labeled as traitors.
They said: “All leaders and party workers who ignore Lipulekh are traitors; may we not have to make them wear garlands of shoes and parade them.”
Lipulekh, Kalapani, Limpiyadhura Territorial Claims and the Map
Nepal’s claim to Lipulekh Pass, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura is based on the 1816 Sugauli Treaty, which defined the Koshi River as the western boundary. Nepal asserts that the actual origin of the Koshi River lies in the Limpiyadhura region, and therefore the territory belongs to Nepal.
However, over time, these regions came under Indian administrative control, and the dispute remains unresolved. Since 1998, there have been several bilateral talks between Nepal and India, but the boundary has not been officially demarcated.
In 2015, India and China agreed to reopen trade through the Lipulekh Pass, without Nepal’s consultation or consent. In response, Nepal sent a diplomatic note of protest and reaffirmed its claim.
In 2020, after India published a new map including the disputed territories, Nepal responded by amending its constitution to include Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani in its national map — which was approved by the Parliament.
India-China Agreement in 2025 and Nepal’s Response
2.1 The Agreement
At the end of August 2025, during the 24th round of India-China border-related talks in New Delhi, both countries agreed to reopen three traditional border trade routes, including the Lipulekh Pass.
2.2 Political and Diplomatic Reaction in Nepal
This move sparked strong reactions in Nepal. Various political parties urged Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to assert Nepal’s constitutional claim over its territory during the upcoming SCO summit in Tianjin.
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) stated: “No activity or agreement involving Nepal's land is valid without Nepal’s consent.”
Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also reaffirmed Nepal’s constitutional claim.
Political parties across the spectrum, including the Nepali Congress and regional parties, have called for immediate and effective diplomatic action.
2.3 India’s Perspective
India’s Ministry of External Affairs dismissed Nepal’s claim as “not based on historical facts and evidence.” The Indian spokesperson insisted that the reopening of the trade route is based on arrangements dating back to 1954.
India also expressed willingness for diplomatic dialogue. Indian scholars, however, noted that Nepal’s 2020 constitutional amendment may have made the issue politically rigid and harder to resolve.
Expert Opinions and Diplomatic Strategies
Senior diplomat and former ambassador Nilamber Acharya stated that the SCO summit is not the right platform to raise territorial disputes publicly. He suggested that Nepal should bring up the issue only in bilateral meetings with India not publicly. He also emphasized the need to enhance the capacity of the Foreign Ministry and to prepare well-documented evidence and information.
Public Sentiment and Political Pressure
So far, there have not been widespread protests specifically about Lipulekh, but the issue has stirred strong feelings of patriotism and resentment in political and social discourse.
Comments on online platforms like Reddit include:
“There are still people who trust Congress, UML, and Maoists… these are the same leaders who sell out our sovereignty… they sold rivers like Koshi and Mahakali, and now Lipulekh and Kalapani.”
Another user wrote:
“They lack proper evidence to negotiate… they will just ignore our efforts at the discussion table.”
These reactions indicate deep public dissatisfaction with diplomatic efforts and constitutional claims to date.
Nepal’s Strategic Options in the Context of the SCO Summit
5.1 Summit Analysis
The 2025 SCO Tianjin Summit (August 31–September 1) is a multilateral platform addressing regional issues. Experts argue that it's not appropriate to raise border disputes in such settings, as it could strain Nepal’s relations with India.
5.2 Strategic Recommendations for Nepal
Peaceful Bilateral Diplomacy:
Rather than public protest, it’s more suitable to address the issue with India quietly and respectfully.
Institutional Strengthening:
Improve the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' research and diplomatic readiness with evidence-based preparation.
National Unity:
Develop a united national stance with input from all political parties.
International Public Diplomacy:
Use intellectual forums, media, and multilateral platforms like the UN to communicate Nepal’s stance.
Incremental Resolution:
Adopt a long-term approach, possibly through partial territorial solutions or joint administration, aiming for eventual resolution.
Overall Analysis: National Sentiment and Political Landscape
As mentioned earlier, threats to label leaders as “traitors” or to “make them wear garlands of shoes and parade them” reflect serious public frustration and a strong sense of nationalism. These expressions:
Emphasize national sovereignty as a core value.
Reflect public expectations for strong leadership.
Create emotional pressure on political figures.
However, diplomacy is not about emotion alone — it’s a matter of prudence, strategy, and long-term interests.
Conclusion
Nepal stands at a significant diplomatic crossroads. The Lipulekh issue is grave, sensitive, and historic, but cannot be resolved by a single public statement or dramatic declaration.
If Nepal can balance determination with reason, and respond to the people’s expectations with strategic, well-prepared, and united action, it can have a lasting and effective impact.
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