China company wins deal to print new Nepal notes with map including Indian areas

KATHMANDU: The Nepal Rastra Bank has awarded to a Chinese company the contract to print new 100-rupee notes featuring the revised political map of the country. Nepal’s cabinet approved the design change for the 100-rupee note, which incorporates the three strategically important areas of Limpiyadhura, Lipulek, and Kalapani as part of Nepal.

The new political map was updated in 2020 by incorporating Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura, something that India termed as “untenable” the “artificial enlargement” of territorial claims by Nepal. India maintains Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura — in Western Nepal along border — belongs to it.

China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation has been awarded the contract after a global tender process, as per English daily Republica. NRB has requested the company to design, print, supply, and deliver 300 million 100-rupee notes, with an estimated printing cost of about $8.99 million, reported the daily.

Nepal Rastra Bank’s spokesperson was not available when contacted for a comment. India-Nepal ties came under strain the 2020 map which showed the three territories as part of Nepal.