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:
“Alarmed by China’s rising influence in Nepal, India is now trying to turn the tables. But such narrow-minded geopolitical logic will do favour to nobody.”
“Fragile and Sensitive” Sino-Nepal Relationship
The article said that the bilateral relationship between China and Nepal seems to have “suddenly turned fragile and sensitive”.
Obviously, China feels tricked. When Kathmandu needed Beijing to relieve pressure from New Delhi, it got close to China and signed a series of crucial agreements with Beijing which would help Nepal get rid of its reliance on India. But once India’s attitude toward Kathmandu relaxed a bit and the former made some promises to the latter, Nepalese politicians immediately put the nation’s ties with China on the back-burner.
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.
Bargain or Negotiation?
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.
Against such a backdrop, people cannot help but ask whether Prachanda is seeking reconciliation with New Delhi or maintaining Nepal’s status of being controlled by India....It seems that the relationship between Nepal and China stalled abruptly, and a visit by Chinese leaders to Nepal has allegedly been suspended – an unprecedented situation.
(With Global Times, PTI inputs)
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