Nepal map on currency note to have Indian areas, INDIA speaks out
Nepal made it public on Friday that it is now in plan to print a new Rs 100 currency note featuring the disputed territories of Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani, which the Indian Foreign Minister gave very strong opposition as “manifold enlargement” and “untenable” few days previously.
The story began four years ago when ties with India had been damaged as Nepal endorsed the unpolished map that included areas of Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiya Dhura. Finally, the current government has come up with its very own RS 100 currency note that depicts the whole map of Nepal including the areas that are under control of India.
Nepal government spokesperson and Minister of Communication Rekha Sharma in one of her recent media interview help clarify the matter on this issue that was discussed in the cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ on Thursday.
The statement of India on yesterday 2nd sep minister of external affairs of India, Mr. Jaishankar rebuked the idea of Nepal raising disagreement and said that Nepal’s act will not change the status quo and also the scenario on the ground.
Ambassador Jaishankar who made a corruption in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday said that, “Our constant stand is through a approved system we are alleviating Nepal regarding our transboundary matters. Nepal act at half-way that we did not expect”.
Ties between India and Nepal have been thriving since the opening of the new Indian road to Lipulekh from Dharchula in May 2020, bypassing the old historical route which was the Lipulekh Dharchula Mannarkulung route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. This is the area that is flash point between both countries, and spoiled the peace that was achieved in 2015. The then Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli came with a map with area of 370 sq km more which after the map project India considers as their own territory.
The Legislative Assembly of Nepal passed a Constitutional Amendment Bill in the course of which the new territory including Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura was recognized and added to the country’s map. The passage of the law which created the map, and the absence of communication between the two countries induced them into a temporary breakdown.
After the Oli government’s position got shaky, China hurried to help it out. However, later his government had to go as he resigned after the Parliament reinstatement and Supreme Court’s re-troubling at July-2021.
Contrary to Prachanda government´s 2020 decision where the development of new map took place with the overlook of the ruling party and opposition parties of Nepal, the latest decision has paved way for a scepticism and criticism which is not desirable in the power-relationship between rule and opposition. Mandate creation of a separate monetary authority which the former diplomats who used to be the central bank’s governors called “a reckless act,” a “mistake” and a disruption to the peace.
The cabinet will then forward the decision to the Rastra Bank (Central Bank, Nepal) which could take up to one year to get the banknote printed. The central bank will conduct a printing plan in quest of quality notes. Tenders must be made.
Chiranjibi Nepal, the former governor of the Rastra Bank and the presidential economic advisor to President Ram Chandra Poudel, said, “Is to make decisions at the most inaccurate time and to not think about the implications of them at all. I believe that it is not our good that Nepal is in conflict with India on many territories but printing the map others do regard as not to worth will
Former diplomat of Nepal stated that “the timing and the side the decision came is questionable as it is too provocative.”
