BY PUSHPARAJ PRADHAN
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Nepal itself is meaningful to give a new height to the bilateral relations between these two countries. After a gap of 23 years, the President level visit has taken place. President Xi Jinping is a powerful global leader with visionary thoughts. The presence of such a paramount leader in Nepal is thus meaningful.
Nepal and China enjoy problem-less relations. President Xi’s long awaited visit has further strengthened Nepal-China friendship.
China, although a global power and a huge nation, her foreign policies are based on Panchasheel, peaceful co-existence, non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs and no hegemony against smaller countries. Therefore, the entire Nepali population praises China.
Besides, the Chinese support to Nepal for infrastructural development announced during the visit, are very important and they will have a long-term impact which will help to transform Nepal from a poor country to a prosperous nation.
As far as I have understood, President Xi Jinping’s thoughts and defining “socialism with Chinese characteristics” are for global cooperation to build a prosperous world. The Belt and Road Initiative is the vision for transforming the globe towards prosperity. We are also the member of BRI and we are sure that Chinese support will bring prosperity in Nepal.
Trans Himalayan connectivity is very important for Nepal’s economic and infrastructural development, which will also contribute for strengthening bilateral relations between Nepal and China.
President Xi said, Nepal a landlocked country is becoming a land-linked country with Chinese support, this is very much meaningful. Agreements on transit and trade will have a long-term impact in the economic development of Nepal.
President Xi has announced an economic assistance package of 56 billion rupees. Besides, 18-point MoU and two letters of exchange have been signed during Xi’s visit. They are big achievements for Nepal.
We have experienced that along with foreign support, vested foreign interests have also entered in the country. From such a trend, Nepal has suffered a lot. I would like to state here that we never see China’s vested interests while providing support to Nepal. However, we have not been able to fully utilize Chinese cooperation. In every field we have received Chinese cooperation, nevertheless, Chinese cooperation for infrastructural development counts a lot. For example, construction of the Prithivi Highway, Araniko Highway, Mugling-Chitwan Highway, key hydropower projects, hospitals, school buildings and logistic support for them have contributed a lot to uplift the Nepali people’s living standard.
The project of Trans-Himalayan connectivity speaks a lot. Besides government to government level cooperation, people to people level relations are being enhanced further. In future, I hope, the increasing level of people-to-people relations would lead to further bilateral cooperation. The recent agreements signed during President Xi’s stay here will obviously play a remarkable role to boost bilateral relations.
We believe, China has honestly helped Nepal to transform her into a prosperous nation. We have to understand the security sensitiveness of China and our leaders should give strong assurance to China for not allowing any kind of anti-China activities to take place from Nepali soil.
Nepal and China enjoy problem-less relations, however, talking about China-India relations, problems exist there. Nevertheless, of late, China and India are strengthening bilateral relations. Specially after the Wuhan Summit between Chinese President Xi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we believe, relations have improved. The present visit of President Xi to India and informal meetings between President Xi and PM Modi seems to have made a major breakthrough in bilateral relations. The two leaders have decided to “manage their differences prudently” and “will not let them become disputes”.
Nepal is a peace loving country and peace in the South Asian region will contribute to make the South Asian economy prosper. The recent Xi visit to India has given the message that China wants to see a prosperous South Asia. The upcoming century can be the Asian century if China and India work together. The Nepali people always wish for better relations between China and India. The reason is that if economic activities between the two nations will be intensified, Nepal can be the bridge between the two giant nations, which will obviously lead Nepal towards a prosperous path.
Still, India needs huge investments for development of her infrastructural sectors. Therefore, more Chinese investment is important for India. What I personally believe is that sooner or later, India has to join BRI, otherwise, she will miss the bus.
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