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In 2020, the then KP Sharma Oli government initially unveiled a new political map showing three Indian territories — Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura — as Nepal’s
The new Rs 100 denomination banknotes that have been issued by Nepal’s central bank. (Image: PTI)
In what can be seen as a bid to escalate existing territorial disputes, Nepal has triggered a fresh controversy by printing a new map on its currency note depicting three areas — Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura — that are actually within India’s border.
The latest controversy, however, has roots in events from May 2020 when the now-fallen KP Sharma Oli government initially unveiled a new political map showing these three Indian territories as Nepal’s, which was later endorsed by the country’s Parliament.
India had reacted sharply at the time, calling the revised map a “unilateral act” that “does not change the ground reality”. New Delhi had responded by saying all three areas belong to India, cautioning Kathmandu that such “artificial enlargement” of territorial claims would not be acceptable to it.
This time, however, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) is yet to respond to the new map on Nepal’s Rs-100 banknote.
Nepal’s central bank, the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), recently issued the new Rs-100 notes that feature a revised map, including Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura. This Rs-100 note is the only denomination among banknotes (which also include Rs 10, Rs 50, Rs 500, and Rs 1,000) that bears this map, which is visible in the background at the centre in a faint green colour.
An NRB spokesperson said the map was already present in the old Rs-100 banknote and has been revised as per the government’s decision. The new note, which bears the signature of previous Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari, carries the issuance date 2081 BS denoting the previous year, 2024.
Beyond the disputed map, the Rs-100 banknote features other national symbols, including Mount Everest on its left side and a watermark of Nepal’s national flower, the rhododendron, on the right. It also features the Ashoka pillar near the map with the text “Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha”. On the back, there is a picture of a horned rhino.
Nepal shares a border of over 1,850 km that with five Indian states: Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
(With agency inputs)
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
November 27, 2025, 9:53 PM IST
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