New Delhi (NVI): The Nepal government today summoned India’s ambassador over the construction of a new link road being built through Lipulekh pass in Uttarakhand that will cut down travel time for Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrims.
Nepal’s foreign minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali met Indian envoy Vinay Mohan Kwatra today and handed over a diplomatic note in this regard.
“Foreign Minister Hon. @PradeepgyawaliK conveyed Government of Nepal’s position on boundary issues to Ambassador of India to Nepal H.E. Mr. Vinay Mohan Kwatra at a meeting held at MoFA today and handed over a diplomatic note in this regard,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) tweeted.
Foreign Minister Hon. @PradeepgyawaliK conveyed Government of Nepal’s position on boundary issues to Ambassador of India to Nepal H.E. Mr. Vinay Mohan Kwatra at a meeting held at MoFA today and handed over a diplomatic note in this regard.
— MOFA of Nepal ?? (@MofaNepal) May 11, 2020
Nepal has expressed its protest over the matter since Friday when India inaugurated the 80-kilometer road along the border with China in Uttarakhand with Dharchula.
However, in a response on Saturday, India’s External Affairs Ministry had said the road “lies completely within the territory of India”.
“The recently inaugurated road section in Pithoragarh district in the State of Uttarakhand lies completely within the territory of India. The road follows the pre-existing route used by the pilgrims of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Under the present project, the same road has been made pliable for the ease and convenience of pilgrims, locals and traders,” MEA had said in a statement.
On May 8 (Friday), Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had inaugurated a new 80-km road from Dharchula in Uttarakhand to Lipulekh (China Border). The Ministry of Defence in a statement said that the new road link will significantly curtail Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage time from 2-3 weeks earlier to 1 week.
The road originates from Ghatiabagarh and terminates at Lipulekh Pass, the gateway to Kailash-Mansarovar. In this 80 kilometer road, the altitude rises from 6,000 to 17,060 feet.
