Issues apology following strong public backlash
Kathmandu, Nepal – Following the formation of the government led by Balen Shah in Nepal, certain developments perceived as anti-India have come to light. Recently, Nepal Airlines, the national carrier of Nepal, shared a world map in which the entire region of Jammu & Kashmir was shown as part of Pakistan, and the North-East region of India was depicted as part of China.
In an apparent attempt to showcase the extent of its global flight network, the airline released the map, which drew sharp criticism. Citizens and commentators strongly objected to what was seen as a serious misrepresentation. In response to the widespread backlash, Nepal Airlines issued a clarification, acknowledging the mistake and apologising.
On 29 April, Nepal Airlines shared the map on its official account on X (formerly Twitter). The depiction of significant parts of India within China and Pakistan triggered large-scale criticism online. Thousands of users expressed their disapproval using hashtags such as #NepalAirlines and #JammuKashmir, calling the incident “anti-India”, “irresponsible”, and “provocative”.
Clarification issued by Nepal Airlines
We sincerely apologize for error in the network map recently shared on our social media channels. The map contained significant cartographic inaccuracies regarding international boundaries that do not reflect the official stance of Nepal or Nepal Airlines. pic.twitter.com/E5MZSS8CjQ
— Nepal Airlines🇳🇵 (@NepalAirlinesRA) April 30, 2026
Facing growing criticism, Nepal Airlines publicly apologised, stating that the map contained serious inaccuracies regarding international boundaries. The airline clarified that the error does not reflect the official stance of the Government of Nepal or Nepal Airlines.
Strong reaction from Jammu based citizen Divya Gandotra Tandon
Divya Gandotra Tandon, a citizen from Jammu, expressed strong views on X, stating that India has supported Nepal’s economy for decades, through open borders, employment opportunities for Nepali citizens, access to Indian ports for trade, fuel pipelines, energy projects, disaster relief assistance, infrastructure development, scholarships, and defence cooperation.
India has kept Nepal’s economy breathing for decades… open borders, jobs for lakhs of Nepalis, trade access via Indian ports, fuel pipelines, power projects, disaster relief, infrastructure, scholarships, even military cooperation.
And this is how Nepal Airlines responds?
— Divya Gandotra Tandon (@divya_gandotra) April 29, 2026
In this context, she stated that the map shared by Nepal Airlines was not merely a design error but a serious and sensitive issue. At a time when India remains Nepal’s largest and most trusted partner, such an act by a national airline is unacceptable.