Kathmandu.  India has stated that Saudi Arabia has tampered with its map and has asked the latter to rectify the same immediately.

As per the reports, India has reacted sharply to the move after the Arab nation issued a currency note with a world map on one of its sides, removing the disputed Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh region from India’s geography.

India has also sent a message to Saudi Arabia expressing “grave concern” over its misrepresentation of its borders. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday issued a formal response expressing dissatisfaction with Saudi Arabia’s action.

The currency note was issued by Saudi Arabia’s Monetary Authority on October 24 in celebration of its G20’s presidency. According to NDTV, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs protested on Thursday, October 29, against the misrepresentation of the Indian border.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been trying to persuade Saudi Arabia’s rulers to invest in India and separate Pakistan from the Arab world. Last year, he had welcomed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the airport breaking official protocol during his visit to India.

Modi’s move was presumed by India’s foreign ministry as a new chapter in bilateral relations. He then visited Saudi Arabia, met with King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the Crown Prince, and signed some energy agreements.

NDTV further stated that India is the world’s third largest oil consumer and a major customer of Saudi Arabia.