Nepal issues bank notes with map showing disputed areas, Pg18

Key Highlights:

• Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) issued new Rs 100 currency notes featuring a revised map including Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura.
• The new note bears the signature of former Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari.
• The date of issuance on the banknote is 2081 BS (2024).
• In May 2020, the K P Sharma Oli government released a new political map showing the disputed areas as part of Nepal.

Detailed Insights:

• The territorial dispute over Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura has been a long-standing issue between India and Nepal.
• India has reacted strongly to Nepal's inclusion of these areas in its map, terming it a "unilateral act" and an "artificial enlargement" of territorial claims.
• The NRB spokesperson clarified that only the Rs 100 note features Nepal's map and that the revision aligns with the government's decision.
• This move by Nepal could further strain bilateral relations between the two countries, impacting trade, transit, and other forms of cooperation.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Territorial Dispute: Disagreement over the ownership or control of land between two or more entities.
• Unilateral Act: An action taken by one country without the agreement or consent of others involved.
• Bilateral Relations: Interactions and relationships between two countries, encompassing diplomatic, economic, and cultural exchanges.