News Brief
New Currency Notes In Nepal To Show Map With Indian Territories
Kuldeep Negi
May 05, 2024, 12:31 PM | Updated 12:31 PM IST
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Nepal's decision to introduce a new Rs 100 currency note featuring Indian territory has sparked controversy, rekindling tensions that arose four years ago when Nepal included Uttarakhand's Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura in its map.
The announcement came from Nepal government spokesperson and Minister of Communication Rekha Sharma after a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda.'
The move was criticised by India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who stated that it wouldn't alter the ground reality or the ongoing boundary discussions between the two countries.
“Our position is very clear. With Nepal, we are having discussions about our boundary matters through an established platform. In the middle of that, they unilaterally took some measures on their side," Jaishankar said, Indian Express reported.
The rift between India and Nepal deepened in 2020 when India inaugurated a new road from Dharchula to Lipulekh on the Mansarovar Yatra route in Uttarakhand.
This angered the then prime minister K P Sharma Oli led government in Kathmandu, which came out with a new map of Nepal, adding to it an area of 370 sq km at the tri-junction of Nepal, India and China which India maintains is its territory.
A Constitution amendment Bill was passed by Nepal’s Parliament to legitimise the modification to the country’s map with the addition of India territories of Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura.
The passage of the Bill and the new map led to a temporary breakdown of communication between the two countries.
The 2020 move had support of Nepal's political parties. However, the recent decision by the Prachand government has faced internal skepticism and criticism.
Former diplomats and central bank officials in Nepal have labeled the move as "unwise" and "provocative."
Chiranjibi Nepal, a former Governor of Rastra Bank and economic advisor, criticised the decision's timing and potential consequences, emphasising the importance of international recognition.
“The decision of the government has come at the most inappropriate time and without thinking of its larger implications. Nepal being in dispute with India over certain parts of territory is one thing, but printing in the currency a map that is different from what the international bodies, including two neighbours, have recognised is unwise," Chiranjibi Nepal said.
A former diplomat described the decision as "too provocative", and "uncalled for".
The process of introducing the new currency note involves sending the cabinet's decision to Rastra Bank, which may take up to a year for printing after issuing tenders for quality printing.
Also Read: 'Radicalised' Teenager Shot Dead By Australian Police After Knife Attack In Perth
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Kuldeep is Senior Editor (Newsroom) at Swarajya. He tweets at @kaydnegi.
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.