Nepal Unveils New Rs 100 Note Featuring Disputed Border Map; India Strongly Objects

Nepal's Central Bank, the Nepal Rastra Bank, has officially issued new Rs 100 banknotes incorporating a revised national map that includes the disputed territories of Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura, areas long claimed by India. This development follows a parliamentary endorsement in May 2020 under former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli's administration, which updated the country's cartography to encompass these regions. The notes, signed by previous Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari and dated 2081 BS (corresponding to 2024), mark a significant step in asserting Nepal's territorial claims through everyday currency.

An NRB Spokesperson clarified that the map revision aligns with prior government decisions, noting that only the Rs 100 denomination features the national map among various circulating notes, such as Rs 10, Rs 50, Rs 500, and Rs 1,000. India has consistently rejected these assertions, describing the inclusion as an "artificial enlargement" of territory and deeming Nepal's actions unilateral and unacceptable. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reiterated that such measures do not alter ground realities, emphasizing India's sovereignty over the regions.

The decision to print these notes has stirred additional controversy, as Nepal entrusted a Chinese state-owned company with the production, a move perceived as potentially escalating tensions with India amid broader geopolitical dynamics. Traders along the Indo-Nepal border in Uttarakhand have begun rejecting the new currency, citing the territorial dispute as a reason for refusal. This economic ripple effect underscores the practical implications of the cartographic change on bilateral relations.

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Visually, the banknote displays Mount Everest on the left, a watermark of the rhododendron—Nepal's national flower—on the right, and a faint green map at the center, accompanied by the Ashok Pillar and a reference to Lumbini, birthplace of Lord Buddha. The reverse side features a one-horned rhinoceros, while security elements include a thread and an embossed dot for accessibility by visually impaired individuals.

Nepal and India share an extensive border exceeding 1,850 kilometers, spanning Indian states including Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. The ongoing dispute highlights longstanding border issues, with both nations maintaining firm positions, potentially impacting diplomatic and economic ties in the region.

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