KATHMANDU: Chinese President Xi Jinping stated that China will not take sides in the ongoing border dispute between Nepal and India over the Lipulekh Pass, a source who participated in the delegation told Nepal News anonymously.

The remarks came during a bilateral meeting with Nepali Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli at the Tianjin State Guest House on Saturday. The meeting followed Nepal’s expression of disagreement over the recent India-China agreement on the Lipulekh route.

PM Oli reaffirmed Nepal’s position that, under the 1816 Sugauli Treaty, all territories east of the Mahakali River belong to Nepal, and emphasized that China should support Nepal in the matter.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry’s statement also did not mention Nepal’s objections, instead focusing on broader bilateral cooperation and strategic partnership.