Nepal's New Rupee Notes: A Cartographic Controversy

The Nepal Rastra Bank has contracted a Chinese company to print new 100-rupee notes featuring Nepal's updated political map, which includes disputed territories with India. The decision has strained relations between Nepal and India, as the updated map claims regions India considers its own.

Nepal Rastra Bank, the central bank of Nepal, has enlisted a Chinese company to print new 100-rupee notes depicting Nepal's revised political map. This map includes the contentious areas of Limpiyadhura, Lipulek, and Kalapani, which are also claimed by India.

Approved by Nepal's Council of Ministers, this redesign reflects a significant political assertion, as the updated map was formalized on June 18, 2020, through a constitutional amendment. The move has provoked discontent from India, which dismisses it as an 'untenable' and 'artificial enlargement' of territorial boundaries.

The China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation secured the contract through a global tender, totalling a printing cost of approximately USD 8.99 million for 300 million notes. Despite the escalating tensions, Nepal Rastra Bank's spokesperson was unavailable for commentary.

(With inputs from agencies.)