There is no shortage of discussion in Kathmandu on the changing geopolitical landscape and the challenges Nepal currently faces in its external relations. Although serious research and publications are lacking, Kathmandu-based think tanks somehow manage to secure financial resources to organize programs at upscale hotels. Lately, there has been a boom in the number of...
Nowhere is Nepal’s delicate balancing act between its giant neighbours India and China as evident as it is in this tourism capital. The Chinese have cultivated a special relationship with Pokhara ever since they built the 200km Prithvi Highway connecting it to Kathmandu in 1974, right up to the inauguration of Pokhara International Airport last...
एक दशकअघिसम्म उत्तरी छिमेकी चीनको कूटनीतिक गतिविधि बाहिर देखिँदैन थियो। कतिपयले चीनको गतिविधिलाई मात्र होइन चीनलाई नै नेपालले बुझ्न नसकेको भन्थे। परराष्ट्र मामिला विज्ञको पगरी गुथेकाहरूले त नेपालले चीन बुझ्न सकेको छैन भनेर कैयौँपटक लेखे, अन्तर्वार्तामार्फत आफ्ना धारणा सार्वजनिक गरे। ती सबै कुरा भ्रम रहेछन् भन्ने यति बेला स्पष्ट भएको छ। किनभने चिनियाँ राजदूत छन्...
The locals perceive Chinese investments in Nepal that promised to bring respite to Nepal’s weak economy with doubt Dragon’s embrace: China’s expanding footprint in Nepal triggers local displeasureNepal-China relations, a relatively recent development, have grown economically since 2015. In 2016, Nepal called China an “all-weather friend” and became a signatory of China’s Belt and Road...
As a small landlocked country between India and China, Nepal has long been considered a buffer state—a small country sandwiched between larger rival powers—with its challenging geography in the Himalayan mountain range lending to this conceptualization. Nepal has sought to maintain close ties with India and China. However, China and India’s economic rise as well...
2023 has been an interesting time for Nepali diplomacy. After the end of the Covid pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war raged. Global affairs have been more troubled with the addition of the Israel-Hamas conflict. As Nepalis have been directly involved in both theatres, Nepal’s foreign outreach is strained. Nepal has much to do to secure the...
Over the past three months, there have been significant development in Nepal’s relation with countries like India, China, the US, Russia, Bangladesh, among others. Nepal-India power trade agreement gains momentum with India’s cabinet approving the 10,000 MW electricity trade agreement. The PM’s much awaited visit to China finally took place in September, but not much...
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is embarking on an official visit to China on September 22. Even though the visit is long due, three factors make it vital: First, it is taking place right after China issued its so-called “Standard Map”, excluding Nepal’s new official map. Second, while projects under the Belt and Road Initiative...