Nepal’s new move? Indian territory on 100 rupee note! Congress cornered the government

Congress leader Pawan Kheda on Friday said the Center should take strict action against Nepal’s move to issue new notes for NPR 100. The note showed an updated map covering the disputed areas of Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani. Speaking to ANI, Pawan Kheda said that this is absolutely shocking. The Indian government needs to act wisely and strictly. What is the response of the Indian government?

 

Nepal on Thursday released its new note for NPR 100, showing an updated map incorporating the Indian territories of Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani. This bank note came into circulation today. In a public notice, Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the central bank of Nepal, said the newly released NPR 100 denomination note has been designed incorporating “sophisticated security and identity elements to enhance authenticity and usability”.

In October last year, the NRB had entrusted the printing of new bank notes to a Chinese company. The Nepali Cabinet had approved the design of the NPR 100 denomination note in May 2024 in a meeting chaired by former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. The printing contract was awarded to China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation. On May 20, 2020, Nepal released a new map incorporating Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani through a constitutional amendment.

 

Former diplomat KP Fabian called on Nepal to diplomatically engage with India on the issue of the areas of Lipulekh, Limiyadhura and Kalapani, which are now depicted on the country’s new currency. Speaking to ANI after the release of the new NPR 100 banknote, Fabian said, “This is extremely unfortunate, and more importantly, it is unnecessary. If Nepal believes that a part of Indian territory is part of Nepali territory, then Nepal should negotiate with India diplomatically and not just put a new map on its currency.”