Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar has voiced strong dissatisfaction with the Nepali government's decision to publish a new map depicting disputed territories like Lipulek, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani within Nepal's borders on its 100 rupee currency note.

In a program held in Bhubaneswar, Jaishankar stated, "Our position on this issue is clear. We were discussing border disputes with Nepal through established forums. In the meantime, Nepal has unilaterally made some decisions. They cannot change the situation and ground reality between us with the decisions made on the other hand."

The long-standing border row between the two nations was reignited in 2020 when Nepal published a revised political map incorporating the contested regions, areas which India has historically claimed as part of its territory in Uttarakhand state.

Friday's cabinet decision to print the updated map on the 100 rupee note has drawn a sharp rebuke from New Delhi. "I have not been able to see it in detail," Jaishankar remarked, "but our position on this issue is clear."

The territorial disagreement flared up in May 2020 after India inaugurated a new road through Lipulek to the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage site. Nepal protested vehemently, claiming the road passed through its sovereign territory. Prior to that, Nepal's 2019 map had excluded Gunji, Nabi and Kuri areas, covering an additional 335 sq km that the new map incorporated.

India's External Affairs Ministry had previously asserted the road lies entirely within the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. However, Nepal maintains the regions in question have historically been part of its territory.

The publication of the contentious map on Nepali currency is likely to further strain ties between the two neighbors who have lobbied accusations of encroaching border territories against each other. As dialogue through bilateral channels has failed to resolve the long-simmering feud, unilateral actions from either side appear to be exacerbating tensions.