KP Sharma Oli
Nepal has angered India by awarding a contract to print new banknotes to a Chinese company. Nepal Rastra Bank has selected a Chinese company to print new 100-rupee notes featuring a revised political map of the country. Nepal’s Cabinet approves changes to the design of 100 rupee banknotes. Among them, three strategically important districts of Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani are described as part of Nepal, which have long been part of India .
The new political map was adopted on June 18, 2020 to amend the Constitution of Nepal, in which Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura are shown as part of the country. India has labeled Nepal’s territorial claims as artificial expansion and destabilization. India has made it clear that Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura on Nepal’s western border are part of India.
“Printing and Minting Company”
According to reports, Nepal has awarded the contract to China Banknote Printing and Minting Company after a global competitive bidding process. The central bank has asked the company to design, print, supply and distribute 300 million rupee notes each with a face value of 100 rupees, at an estimated printing cost of about $89.9 million. However, a spokesman for Nepal Rastra Bank was unable to obtain information on the matter.
There may be tensions between India and Nepal
Nepal’s new banknotes are likely to create tensions between India and Nepal, which considers parts of India as its own territory. Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani are parts of India. By amending the constitution, Nepal is creating tension by claiming that it owns the constitution. This may affect the good relations between the two countries. As a result, the long-standing friendship between Nepal and India may see a rift.
