Nepal’s new Rs 100 note, released by Nepal Rastra Bank on Mangsir 11, has triggered strong criticism from Indian media and the Indian National Congress. They claim the note shows a map that includes parts of India as Nepali territory. Congress even posted on X saying the Modi government must respond strongly and that the move is “unacceptable”.
Why India is angry?
Indian critics pointed to two things:
- The updated map printed on the note
- The Chinese company that printed the note
Nepal Rastra Bank says this is not the first time the Rs 100 note has carried Nepal’s map. The map was already there in past versions. Bank spokesperson Guru Prasad Paudel said the new note simply updates the old design according to Nepal’s Constitution and government decisions.
According to the Nepal Rastra Bank Act, the bank controls note design, but any change in size or design needs government approval. On Baisakh 20, 2081, the Cabinet approved updating the Rs 100 note. The central bank then printed the new version and released it to the public.
Earlier use of the new updated map
Nepal has been using the “new map” (showing Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani) on official documents since 2077. The same map is also used on Re 1 and Rs 2 coins issued in 2078.
Printing done by a Chinese Company
The new note controversy grew after it became public that a Chinese state-owned company, China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation, printed the Rs 100 note. The same company recently won the tender to print 430 million pieces of Rs 1000 notes as well.
Nepal Rastra Bank says the selection is done through global tender, and the Chinese company simply offered the lowest bid. A bank official added that the Rs 1000 note will not have Nepal’s map, so controversy is unlikely.
While some Indian media framed the Chinese printing issue as a conspiracy, Nepal points to a deeper problem: India’s reluctance to hold meaningful border talks.
Nepal and India both agree that the border disputes are in two areas:
• Susta (Nawalparasi)
• Kalapani region (including Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura)
Nepal says it has repeatedly pushed for dialogue, but India has not responded in time. This led to Nepal issuing its updated national map in 2077 after India built a road to Kailash-Mansarovar through Lipulekh without consulting Nepal.
The Timeline of the Border Map Issue
• 2076 Kartik 16: India released a new political map that showed Nepali land inside India
• Nepal protested through an official diplomatic note
• India ignored the protest
• The Survey of India released another updated map within 10 days
• Nepal again pushed for dialogue, but India delayed
• 2077 Baisakh 26: India’s Defence Minister inaugurated the Lipulekh road
• Nepal then published its updated map including Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani
Despite Indian media hints, history shows China often aligns with India on issues involving Nepali land. For example, in 2081, India’s NSA Ajit Doval and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi agreed to reopen Lipulekh for Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrims again without consulting Nepal.
Why the dispute continues?
Experts say the border issue remains unresolved because both neighbors have not given enough priority to formal dialogue. Even the Nepal–India Eminent Persons’ Group (EPG) report, prepared by both countries, has not been accepted by India yet.
Former ambassadors say Nepal wants peaceful diplomatic talks, and India should also move toward dialogue. They warn that even the Rs 100 note controversy is ultimately the result of delayed communication between the two nations.
