Nepal Airlines shows J&K as part of Pakistan in map, apologises after backlash

State-owned carrier Nepal Airlines has come under fire for a recent post that shows the entire Jammu and Kashmir as part of Pakistan on its “network map”. After global backlash, the airlines issued an apology for the incorrect map of India within 24 hours, calling it a “cartographic inaccuracy”.

The controversy erupted on Wednesday after the airline’s social media handle shared a route map in which the entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were shown as part of Pakistan‘s territory. The image didn’t take time to go viral on X and Facebook, drawing flak from Indian users.

Soon, the hashtag #BoycottNepalAirlines began trending, with users urging the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Aviation Ministry to lodge a diplomatic protest with Nepal.

Several users highlighted how India, over the decades, kept Nepal’s economy breathing by giving jobs to lakhs of Nepalis, giving it trade access, fuel, funding power projects, and providing disaster relief.

The Himalayan country, which went to the polls recently, saw Balendra Shah, the former mayor of Kathmandu, taking over as Nepal’s youngest-ever prime minister.

NEPAL AIRLINES FACES BACKLASH

Among the several Indian users slamming the airline was Bhojpuri actor-singer Khesarilal Yadav, who indicated that it might be a deliberate act intended to provoke.

“Can anyone tell me what prompted Nepal Airlines to tamper with India’s map like this, and that too regarding Jammu and Kashmir? This isn’t a trivial matter; it seems like a deliberate act. They call this kind of thing provocation,” Yadav tweeted.

As the backlash intensified, Nepal Airlines deleted the post and issued an apology, emphasising that it does not reflect the official stance of Nepal or the carrier.

“We sincerely apologise for the error in the network map… The map contained significant cartographic inaccuracies regarding international boundaries,” it stated.

The carrier said an internal review had been ordered.

“We deeply value our strong relationships with our neighbours and friends in the region and regret any offense the post has caused,” the airline further said.

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