Categories: World

Caught in the crossfire of rival powers, Nepal’s Deuba heads for India on Friday

<p>
<strong>Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba’s three day visit to India starting Friday will be keenly watched by both China and the US. With the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict leading to major shifts in geopolitical thrusts between the US and China, Nepal can expect intensification of big-power politics, analysts told India Narrative.</strong></p>
<p>
China has been open about its concern as Kathmandu ratified the US led Millennium Challenge Corporation’s $500 million grant last month. Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi’s just concluded Nepal visit has also failed to strike the necessary chord between Beijing and Kathmandu, as many eyebrows were raised after the issue of the much-hyped Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) failed to get any mention in the latter’s official statement.</p>
<p>
<a href="https://theannapurnaexpress.com/news/editorial-deuba-goes-to-delhi-5118">The Annapurna Express</a> said that while China understands that Kathmandu cannot afford to have bad relations with India, “what it does not want is for Nepal to enter what it labels the ‘US-India nexus’ and thereby compromise Chinese security interests.”</p>
<p>
<strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/china-sees-red-after-nepal-pm-deuba-woos-the-united-states-160038.html">China sees red after Nepal PM Deuba woos the United States</a></strong></p>
<p>
Even as it is almost customary for all Nepali prime ministers to make New Delhi their first foreign stopover after assuming office, Deuba’s so-called ritualistic visit has naturally led to unprecedented scrutiny amid changing geopolitical order.</p>
<p>
“The United States, in the context of the Indo-Pacific Strategy, will most likely devote more attention to smaller countries in South Asia like Nepal as part of its efforts to counter-blance China,” Bhaskar Koirala, Director of the Nepal Institute of International and Strategic Studies told India Narrative in an emailed interview.</p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/here-now/deuba-to-restore-india-ties-in-delhi-visit/">Nepali Times</a> said that Deuba’s main goal in New Delhi this time will be to restore Nepal-India relations to a more even keel though several thorny areas remain. Issues relating to two-way air routes, exports of surplus hydropower and border embankments continue to create “some kind of discord” between the two neighbours that share an open border policy.</p>
<p>
Koirala said that border issues between India and Nepal can be resolved “without any doubt but a modus operandi must be defined and then it is important to adhere to it.”</p>
<p>
“The problem is that domestic politics in both countries militates against this ideal possibility. Festering border disputes between Nepal and India create significant anomalies in other areas of the bilateral relationship, hindering overall progress and development of friendly ties between Nepal and India and creating a range of negative externalities,” he said.</p>
<p>
<strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/modi-deuba-to-inaugurate-janakpur-jaynagar-railway-during-nepal-prime-minister-s-visit-160600.html">Modi-Deuba to inaugurate Janakpur-Jaynagar railway during Nepal Prime Minister's visit</a></strong></p>
<p>
Foreign policy watchers also said that the timing of Deuba’s visit is critical. Though Deuba was slated to visit India in January—the trip was postponed due to the surge in Covid 19 cases, his tour comes close on the heels of the Chinese foreign minister's visit to both New Delhi and Kathmandu.  </p>

Mahua Venkatesh

Mahua Venkatesh specialises in covering economic trends related to India and the world along with developments in South Asia.

Recent Posts

India says issues relating to J-K to be addressed bilaterally with Pakistan, outstanding matter is vacation of PoJK

India on Monday firmly reiterated that any issues relating to Jammu and Kashmir must be…

3 hours ago

PM Modi chairs meeting with Nadda to review TB elimination campaign progress

Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a meeting on Tuesday to assess the progress of the…

3 hours ago

“Hum ghar mein ghus kar maarenge aur bachne ka ek mauka tak nahi denge”: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reiterated India's firm stance on terrorism, emphasising that the…

6 hours ago

Women’s freedom movement gives call to end detention of Afghan refugees in Pakistan

The Women's Freedom Movement has called for an end to the detention of Afghan refugees…

7 hours ago

MoS Pabitra Margherita calls on President of Fiji Ratu Naiqama Tawakecolati Lalabalavu

Union Minister of State of External Affairs and Textiles, Pabitra Margherita called on the President…

8 hours ago

‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ echoes at Adampur Air Base as PM Modi salutes courage of Air Warriors

Chants of Bharat Mata ki Jai and Vande Matram echoed at the Adampur Air base…

9 hours ago