Nepal to Issue New 100 Rupee Note Including Indian Territories

New Banknote Includes Controversial Map

Nepal has announced plans to issue a new 100-rupee banknote featuring a map that includes Indian territories of Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani. This decision has caused tension between Nepal and India, with India strongly objecting to the inclusion of these regions on the map.

Nepal to Issue New 100 Rupee Note Including Indian Territories

Nepal's Government Approves New Map

The Nepalese government's decision to incorporate these disputed regions into the new banknote was approved in a meeting chaired by Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda." The government announced the move during a briefing on Friday, signaling its intent to assert territorial claims.

The History of the Disputed Regions

India included Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani in its map in November 2019. In May 2020, Nepal issued a political map that included the same regions, leading to a diplomatic standoff between New Delhi and Kathmandu. This escalation was triggered by India's inauguration of a road connecting to the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage site through Lipulekh, which Nepal objected to by sending a diplomatic note.

The Treaty of Sugauli and Nepal's Claim

Nepal bases its claim on the Treaty of Sugauli, signed in 1816, which delineated the borders after the Anglo-Nepalese War of 1814-16. According to the treaty, all areas east of the Kali River, including Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani, belong to Nepal. However, India asserts that the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship between India and Nepal superseded the Sugauli Treaty.

India's Rejection of Nepal's Claims

India maintains that the 1950 treaty invalidated the Sugauli Treaty and has consistently rejected Nepal's claims to these territories. Additionally, Nepal's assertion that its sovereignty was reaffirmed during British rule through treaties like the 1923 Nepal-Britain Treaty of Friendship is seen as a further point of contention.

Geopolitical Tensions and Border Disputes

The ongoing dispute has heightened geopolitical tensions between India and Nepal. The countries share a border of over 1,850 kilometers, spanning five Indian states: Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Sikkim. This long-standing border dispute underscores the complex historical ties between the two nations and the continuing impact of colonial-era treaties on contemporary international relations.