Nepal's Rs 100 Map Replacement Decision Stirs Diplomatic Tensions with India

The Council of Ministers, convening on Thursday, sanctioned the replacement of Nepal's existing map featured on the front of the currency note with a new rendition. The Ministry of Finance was duly authorized during the Cabinet meeting to effect this alteration, specifically targeting the structure of the Nepali currency note denomination of rupees 100. The decision entails substituting the prior administrative map of Nepal with a fresh depiction as the backdrop.

India's response to Nepal's decision has been one of discontent, as expressed by Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. Labeling Nepal's action as unilateral, Minister Jaishankar conveyed India's dissatisfaction with the incorporation of the country's new map onto the Rs 100 notes. During an interaction in Bhubaneswar titled ‘Why Bharat Matters’, Jaishankar reiterated India's position, emphasizing that while maps may change, the ground realities remain unaffected. He underscored the importance of ongoing discussions between the two countries regarding boundary matters through established platforms.

Nepal's decision to replace the map on the 100 rupee notes comes amidst ongoing discussions between Nepal and India on boundary matters. The move follows Nepal's 2020 release of a new political and administrative map under the leadership of CPN-UML Chairman and then-Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. This map included territories such as Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani, areas that Nepal asserts have been forcibly occupied by India. Despite India's dissatisfaction with Nepal's unilateral decision, discussions on boundary issues continue through established bilateral mechanisms.