In a move that has reignited a long-standing diplomatic rift, Nepal officially unveiled new ₹100 currency notes on Thursday, featuring a revised national map that includes the territories of Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura. The Government of India has consistently asserted its sovereignty over these areas, immediately labeling Nepal's action as a provocative and unilateral step.
Details of the New Currency Note
The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the country's central bank, is responsible for issuing the new banknote. The note bears the signature of the previous NRB Governor, Maha Prasad Adhikari, and carries the issuance date of 2081 BS, which corresponds to the previous year, 2024. An official from the NRB clarified to PTI that the updated map was incorporated following a direct order from the government, noting that a map was already present on the older version of the ₹100 note.
The design of the new note includes an image of Mt. Everest on the left and a watermark of Nepal's national flower, the Rhododendron, on the right. A central, green-coloured faint map of Nepal, which includes the disputed territories, forms the background. The note also features the Ashoka Pillar with the text "Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha." The reverse side displays a picture of a horned rhino. For security and accessibility, the note includes a security thread and an embossed black dot to aid the visually impaired.
History of the Border Controversy
This is not the first time Nepal has taken such a step. In May 2020, the government led by then-Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli unveiled a new political map claiming the same areas. India had strongly rejected that move at the time, issuing a statement that called it an artificial enlargement of territorial claims.
"This unilateral act is not based on historical facts and evidence. It is contrary to the bilateral understanding to resolve the outstanding boundary issues through diplomatic dialogue. Such artificial enlargement of territorial claims will not be accepted by India," the Indian government had stated.
The heart of the dispute lies in the strategic Lipulekh Pass, a crucial trade route between India and China. While India maintains that the Kalapani area is part of the Pithoragarh district in Uttarakhand, Nepal claims it falls within its Dharachula region. The two nations share an open border stretching over 1,850 kilometres, touching the Indian states of Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
Implications and Future Dialogue
The issuance of the new currency note is seen as a significant escalation, potentially complicating efforts to resolve the boundary issue through quiet diplomacy. By placing the map on its national currency, Nepal is cementing its claim in a very public and symbolic manner. This action is likely to challenge the diplomatic channels that both countries have historically relied upon to manage their complex relationship. The move ensures that the dispute over Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura remains a central and sensitive point of contention in India-Nepal relations for the foreseeable future.
