Nepal's Foreign Ministry has formally objected to the plans by India and China to conduct the 2026 Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through the Lipulekh Pass, asserting that this area is part of its territory. The objection follows India's announcement of the pilgrimage, which is set to take place between June and August 2026, allowing 1,000 pilgrims to use two routes, including the contested Lipulekh Pass. Nepal claims it was not consulted about these plans and has urged both countries to refrain from any activities in the area. The dispute is deeply rooted in the 1816 Treaty of Sugauli, which established the Kali River as Nepal's western boundary. Nepal maintains that the river's source is at Limpiyadhura, thus including Kalapani and Lipulekh within its territory. India's position is that the river's source lies further east, excluding these areas from Nepal. The situation escalated in 2020 when India inaugurated a road to Lipulekh, prompting Nepal to release a new political map that included the disputed territories. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, Nepal's government feels frustrated by the lack of progress, as it continues to assert its claims while lacking a physical presence in the disputed areas. As the pilgrimage season approaches, the unresolved tensions remain a significant issue between the three nations.