Nepal’s new 100-rupee note offends India in two ways: it shows the disputed territories of Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh as part of the Himalayan country.
The new note is printed in China, a decision taken by the ousted CPN(UML) government of prime minister KP Sharma Oli.
Given that Oli’s government in no longer there, Delhi had no option but to stay quiet. But India will be watching closely how the China relationship will play out once a new government is in place. Ditto for the disputed territories.
The hitch here is Nepal is presently in political deadlock. There is talk of parliament reconvening with the old discredited parties and their leaders in place.
The Kathmandu buzz also speaks of voices being raised within political parties against aging leaders seen as out of step with current realities.
This is evident in the Nepali Congress, the CPN(UML)vand even Prachand’s Maoist party.
The Gen Z protestors who led the public storm that swept out the ruling parties and their leadership, seems to have run out of ideas about the way forward.
For now India is keeping its cards close to its chest. With no credible government in Kathmandu, it has to wait for the political fog to clear before addressing either the disputed territories or Nepal currency being printed in China.
