Nepal’s central bank is preparing to print new banknotes that will feature a revised map, including territories disputed with India. The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has begun the process of updating its currency to reflect this change. According to Dilliram Pokharel, the NRB’s joint spokesperson, the new banknotes are expected to be completed and issued within six months to a year.
Territorial Dispute Reflected In Currency
The new banknotes will display Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura as part of Nepal’s territory. This move follows a decision by Nepal’s cabinet, led by former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda,’ on May 3. The decision to update the currency is part of a broader effort to incorporate these disputed areas into Nepal’s official documents and symbols.
Background Of The Revised Map
In May 2020, under then-Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, Nepal introduced a new political map that included Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura. The updated map was endorsed by Nepal’s Parliament and replaced the old map in all official documents. This change came despite strong objections from India, which claims these territories as its own.
Ongoing Dispute With India
India maintains that Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura are part of its territory. The territorial dispute has been a contentious issue between the two neighboring countries. Nepal shares a border of over 1,850 kilometers with five Indian states: Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. The inclusion of these disputed areas on Nepalese currency reflects the ongoing geopolitical tensions between the two nations.
Implications For Bilateral Relations
The decision to feature the disputed territories on new banknotes highlights the continuing friction in Nepal-India relations. The updated map on currency could have implications for how both countries manage their border and diplomatic interactions. As the new banknotes are set to enter circulation, they will serve as a symbol of Nepal’s stance on the territorial dispute. The NRB’s move to print new currency with the revised map underscores the complex nature of the dispute and its impact on Nepalese national symbols and everyday life.