Nepal’s upcoming banknotes are set to be manufactured in China, sparking controversy over a map featured on the currency. A Chinese security printing facility has secured the contract to produce Nepal’s banknotes across various denominations, including NRs 50, NRs 500, and NRs 1,000.
The decision to print the notes in China has raised concerns domestically, particularly regarding the depiction of a map that allegedly claims Indian territories. The controversy centers on the nature of the map included in the new currency design, which has been viewed as a sensitive issue in Nepal’s border relations with India.
Details of the contract and the design specifics of the new notes have not been officially disclosed, but the move marks a significant shift in Nepal’s currency production process. The Nepal Rastra Bank, the country’s central bank, has yet to comment on the matter or address the implications of the map controversy.
This development comes amid ongoing diplomatic sensitivities between Nepal and India regarding border and territorial issues, with the new currency notes becoming a focal point of political and public debate.