Nepal's Central Bank to Print New Banknotes Featuring Disputed Territories with India

Nepal’s central bank is set to print new banknotes featuring a revised map that includes disputed territories with India. The process, expected to be completed within a year, has sparked attention as these territories are also claimed by India. The move follows a cabinet decision in 2020.

Nepal's central bank is gearing up to issue new banknotes that will feature a revised map, including disputed territories with India, a media report revealed on Tuesday.

The Nepal Rashtra Bank has already initiated the process to print the new banknotes, which encompass Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura. The bank's joint spokesperson, Dilliram Pokharel, confirmed this development to online news portal Nepalkhabar.com, stating that the task would be completed in six months to one year.

However, attempts to get further comments from the bank's spokesperson were unsuccessful.

This decision follows the Nepalese cabinet's directive on May 3, under former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda,' to include the new map on banknotes. The map, released by the Nepal government in May 2020 during K P Sharma Oli's tenure and later endorsed by Nepal's Parliament, has replaced the old map in all official documents despite objections from India.

India continues to assert that the territories of Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura fall within its borders. Nepal shares a lengthy border of over 1,850 km with five Indian states: Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

(With inputs from agencies.)