Nepal is set to introduce a new Rs 100 currency note that includes a map showcasing the territories of Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani—areas also claimed by India. This decision was confirmed by the Nepalese government spokesperson, Rekha Sharma, who stated that the new design was approved during cabinet meetings on April 25 and May 2. The new note will replace the old version that featured a different map.
In 2020, Nepal amended its Constitution to update the country’s political map to include these areas, which India has strongly opposed, labeling the move as an “artificial enlargement” of territory. The revised map has been a point of contention, with India asserting that these regions rightfully belong to it.
The territories in question are strategically significant and are located along the border India shares with Nepal, which stretches over 1,850 kilometers across five Indian states: Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Kalapani, one of the disputed areas, is notably part of the route to the sacred Kailash Mansarovar, making it of particular importance.
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Rekha Sharma emphasized the decision during her statement, “The cabinet approved to re-design the banknote of Rs 100 and replace the old map printed in the background of the banknote,” reported PTI. This move by Nepal follows discussions in 2023 between India‘s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nepal‘s Prime Minister Pushpakamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, who agreed to address the boundary issues amicably.
Besides the Kalapani-Limpiyadhura-Lipulekh trijunction, India and Nepal have also clashed over the Susta region. The shifting course of the Gandak River, referred to as the Narayani river in Nepal, has contributed to these disputes.
The introduction of the new currency note by Nepal marks a significant moment in the ongoing territorial disputes with India, serving as a reminder of the lingering tensions that complicate the relationship between these neighboring countries.
As this situation develops, both nations continue to seek a diplomatic resolution to their border disagreements, hoping to maintain the spirit of friendship and cooperation that has historically characterized their interactions.
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