Newly appointed Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ is facing flak from Chinese media, after his visit to New Delhi and meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Chinese government mouthpiece, Global Times, published two scathing editorials about Indo-Nepal and Sino-Nepal relations.
China “feels tricked” that Nepal relied on Beijing to reduce dependence on India and put their relationship with China on a back-burner once the purpose was served, state-run Global Times said. The article was titled ‘Nepal risks missing chance with China’.
Another article in the same daily titled ‘Good ties with China, India in Nepal’s best interest’ accused India of “turning the tables” against China. It reads:
The article said that the bilateral relationship between China and Nepal seems to have “suddenly turned fragile and sensitive”.
The article added that in the Sino-Nepalese relationship, Kathmandu always benefitted more, therefore, severing ties with China may result in missed opportunities for Nepal.
During Prachanda’s visit to India this time, the Pancheshwar project, reconstruction after the earthquake and the East-West Railway programme were on the agenda of high-level meetings.
However, all those are already among the “core subjects” of China’s ‘Belt and Road’ initiative that can benefit Nepal, it said.
(With Global Times, PTI inputs)
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