Territorial disputes between India and Nepal and China and the Philippines

Authorities in New Delhi criticized Nepal’s decision to issue a new banknote featuring a map that includes three border areas claimed by both countries. The disputed territories of Kalapani, Lipu Lech, and Limpiyadhura are currently under Indian control. The new banknote adds 335 km2 of area to Nepal, and it will take the Nepalese central bank about a year to print and issue it. The border dispute escalated after New Delhi issued a political map in November 2019, placing the disputed area on Indian territory and constructing an 80-kilometer road through Lipu Lekh. Nepal historically occupied this territory and it is considered one of the shortest and most practical trade routes between India and China.

China has revealed details of alleged concessions by the Philippines in secret agreements over a disputed area in the South China Sea. The “Gentlemen’s Agreement” at the end of 2021 was to concern the Philippine naval facility at Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands – a group of approximately 100 small features located in the South China Sea. The facility itself is a rusting warship. In exchange for Chinese forces maintaining the status quo in the disputed area, the Filipinos were to abandon their plans to modernize the facility. The new authorities of the Philippines, a US ally under the defense treaty, firmly deny the agreement with China.