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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha is paying an official visit to China from March 24 to April 1 at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

This visit marks the first significant diplomatic engagement by a senior minister since the formation of a new coalition government on March 4. Shrestha’s transition from the home ministry to the foreign affairs portfolio underscores the shifting dynamics within the government. In addition to bilateral discussions with his Chinese counterpart, Shrestha, a prominent Maoist leader, is scheduled to hold meetings with top officials and leaders of the Chinese Communist Party.

Given lingering suspicions and allegations surrounding China’s role in orchestrating the recent political realignment in Nepal, Shrestha’s visit carries considerable significance domestically and internationally. Despite assertions from ruling alliance leaders that the coalition shift was driven solely by internal factors, doubts persist regarding China's influence.

Notably, Shrestha’s departure for China lacked comprehensive briefings from all ministry departments, raising questions about preparedness amidst heightened Chinese pressure to advance the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) agenda. 

During Prime Minister Dahal’s China visit last year, preparations were made to sign the BRI implementation agreement. But it was put off after Nepal sought some more time, citing the need for further homework. China has been pushing Nepal for BRI implementation, especially after Nepal ratified the US government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) grant agreement.

While Shrestha has publicly advocated for prompt BRI implementation, the Dahal-led government has yet to reach a consensus on the matter, indicating a reluctance to hastily commit to China's initiatives. Even though Shrestha has said that implementation of past agreements remains the top agenda of his China visit,  highly placed government sources say the possibility of Nepal signing the BRI implementation agreement is very low. 

Nepal reportedly had proposed nine infrastructure projects under the BRI, but there has been no progress. 

Although Nepal signed the BRI framework agreement with China in 2017, no infrastructure project has moved forward so far. Of late, China has been trying to bring all areas of cooperation with Nepal under the BRI framework. Controversy has also arisen over China’s unilateral designation of Pokhara International Airport as a BRI project, exacerbating anxieties regarding debt sustainability. With the multi-million-dollar airport still unable to see international flights, there are concerns over how Nepal will repay the Chinese loan. 

Prime Minister Dahal has been urging the Chinese side to convert a significant portion, if not all, of the loan into a grant. He told a gathering in Pokhara a few days ago that efforts were underway to convince China on this matter. Dahal’s appeal for converting Chinese loans into grants reflects Nepal's growing apprehension towards accumulating debt, particularly in light of unfulfilled BRI promises and economic viability concerns.

The prime minister believes that if China converts the loan into a grant and makes it a gift project under the BRI, it would facilitate the BRI implementation agreement. China does not provide grants under the BRI, but the Chinese government could make such a decision if it desires. However, the Chinese side has not given a concrete response. 

Earlier last week, the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu clarified that the Pokhara airport loan is not a noose around Nepal’s neck. It stated that Nepal’s external debt is higher from international institutions and other countries. China has expressed its willingness to bring international flights to Pokhara but has urged Nepal to provide new air routes for this purpose.

Previously, when the Nepali Congress was part of the ruling alliance, Prime Minister Dahal and other communist parties felt that relations with China were given low priority. China’s proactive engagement following the coalition reshuffle suggests a concerted effort to solidify ties with Nepal’s communist-led government. The absence of contentious issues such as the Nepal-China border dispute in the new alliance’s policy agenda signals an apparent alignment with Chinese interests, prompting optimism in Beijing regarding future cooperation.

Chinese activities seem to have increased in Nepal significantly following the formation of the new alliance. In the past, China has been slow to react to changes in government in Nepal. But this time, it issued a response soon after the new alliance was formed.

During her regular press briefing on March 4, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said: “We would like to work with the new government to uphold the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, deepen traditional friendship, strengthen practical cooperation, advance the China-Nepal strategic partnership of cooperation featuring everlasting friendship for development and prosperity, and deliver more benefits to the peoples of the two countries.”

Two days later, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song met with Foreign Minister Shrestha to extend congratulations and engage in in-depth and friendly discussions on bilateral relations and cooperation.

Vice-minister of the Chinese Communist Party Sun Haiyan also held talks with Nepali Ambassador to China Bishnu Pukar Shrestha right after the new alliance was formed.

During the meeting, she sought information about the recent political developments in Nepal. Vice-minister Haiyan had visited Nepal last month leading a delegation of the International Liaison Department of the Communist Party of China. During her interactions with Nepali political parties, she had remarked that efforts were being made to undermine Nepal-China relations.

Similarly, Lin Jian, a Chinese foreign affairs spokesperson, on March 22, reacted to Shrestha’s visit. In a regular press briefing in Beijing, he said: “The upcoming visit will be [Shrestha’s] first overseas visit after taking office as Nepal’s deputy prime minister and minister for foreign affairs.”

“China stands ready to work with Nepal to take this visit as an opportunity to further deliver on the important common understandings between leaders of the two countries, deepen political mutual trust, pursue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, expand exchanges and cooperation in various areas and strive for new progress in building China-Nepal strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity,” Lin said.

He added that China and Nepal were “traditional friends and neighbors linked by mountains and rivers. In recent years, our two countries maintained close high-level exchanges with deepening practical cooperation in various fields”. “Our two sides maintained close coordination and collaboration in regional and international affairs.”

Last September, Prime Minister Dahal paid an official visit to China and leaders of the two countries reached important common understandings on growing the China-Nepal relations.”  China expects its security concerns to be somewhat addressed under the communist government in Nepal, which is why Beijing appears more enthusiastic about the new alliance. Additionally, the Dahal-led government has fully banned activities concerning the free Tibet movement in Nepal. 

However, challenges persist in reconciling Nepal’s commitment to an independent foreign policy with the demands of regional stakeholders, particularly amid growing pressure to navigate competing geopolitical interests. Prime Minister Dahal’s emphasis on adopting a balanced diplomatic approach underscores the delicate balancing act facing Nepal’s leadership as it seeks to assert its autonomy while fostering fruitful relationships with key allies.

I believe there’s a right time and place for every book. Not all books resonate with you all the time. ‘The Reading List’ by Sara Nisha Adams reiterated that sentiment. It was a lovely book. The plot was simple and comforting. But I would have probably enjoyed it a lot more if I had read it, say, before the pandemic. By the time I came across the book (just a few weeks ago), I had already read similar stories. There was nothing new in it.

But I’d recommend The Reading List to anyone who wants to read a heartwarming tale of how books can change your life. The story is partly inspired by the author’s grandfather, who found a connection with his granddaughter through books. Set in Wembley in London, The Reading List is the story of two individuals—80-year-old Mukesh Patel, a widower, and 17-year-old Aleisha, who works part-time at the local library.

Mukesh is mourning his wife, Naina. His three daughters take care of him but there’s a hole in his heart that just won’t go away. He’s lonely and, at times, miserable. Naina was a voracious reader, often asking Mukesh to keep quiet because she was reading. When he stumbles upon a copy of Audrey Niffenegger’s ‘The Time Traveler’s Wife’ that his wife didn’t get to return to the library, he sits down to read it. He doesn’t expect to get so engrossed in the story. Reading it makes him feel like Naina is around.

When he finishes it, he goes to the library to return it where he meets Aleisha. He’s also hoping to read other books so that he has something to talk about with his granddaughter who, like his wife, loves to read. But Aleisha is unhelpful and Mukesh runs away. Aleisha, on the other hand, is stuck at the library. She never really wanted to work there but her brother, Aiden, recommended it and she couldn’t say no. She’s trying to escape a problematic mother and would do anything to get a few hours away from home.

Then, she discovers a crumpled reading list tucked away in one of the library books and she starts reading the books on them as well as recommending them to Mukesh when he eventually returns. From Harper Lee’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ to Vikram Seth’s ‘A Suitable Boy’, the octogenarian and the teenager go on a journey of self-discovery while forming an unlikely book club of two.

I found the plot to be slightly stretched because I could see where it was going. Apart from that, I enjoyed the book as it reinforced the power of reading and reminded me of some of the reasons why I love books. The book is peppered with references to other books—some of which I have already read and some that I haven’t but they are now all on my reading list. As characters, Mukesh and Aleisha feel a bit cliché but they remind us that the need for connection is a constant across generations.

Fiction

The Reading List

Sara Nisha Adams

Published: 2021

Publisher: Harper Collins

Pages: 425, Paperback

We spend a small fortune and a lot of time decorating our homes but often forget the staircase area. It’s the first thing guests see when they walk into a house. Forget guests, you see it daily. You would love for it to look nice. It’s not negligence but a lack of ideas that makes most of us turn a blind eye to this space. But with a little creativity, you can turn a utility space into your home’s focal point. Here are some ideas to help you inject a dose of style into a functional space.  

Add a stair runner

Stair runners are the easiest way to add charm to your granite, wooden, or tile stairs. It can create visual interest as well as serve as padding to minimize falls and injuries. You can find them in a variety of patterns, colors, and styles. Consider a jute runner if you have an all-white space to add some texture to it. Add some oomph into a neutral space by adding a runner in a bright, vibrant hue. You can also match your runner to the living room rug.

Create a gallery wall

Hang your favorite prints, photos, and artwork along the length of the wall along the stairs and you have a unique gallery wall that makes the stairs more than something you use to get from point A to point B. You can also display your travel treasures in box frames. Choose the same color frames if you want a cohesive look or mix and match frames in different colors for an eclectic charm.

Consider shelving units

Shelves are a great way to display items, store things, and add intrigue to any space. We often don’t consider shelves in the staircase area. But open shelves on the landing or even along the wall opposite the stairs can be used to showcase and store photos, knickknacks, and books. You can also place candles, and flower vases and pots to lend it a regal touch. Just make sure the shelves aren’t too broad and just big enough to hold little items.

Place some large houseplants

Plants bring an element of nature into your home. Each plant has its own requirement and most need to be placed in areas that get enough light and air. However, some plants thrive in low-light areas. Consider placing these in the staircase area. Don’t keep too many to avoid clutter. Place a tall one or two, in a cool ceramic or metal planter at one corner. A lush Fiddle Fig can be a great option.

Replace the light fixture

A stunning chandelier or interesting set of sconces might be the finishing touches your stairwell is missing. The stairs are a great place to play with lights and place large hanging light fixtures because of the extra height of the ceiling. If your stairs are dark, place lights along the length of it. The battery-operated ones can be a good solution if you don’t want wires running along the stairs. You can also add mirrors to reflect light in the space. You get mirror tiles in the market these days that you can simply stick in a desired pattern.

Make a cozy nook

The landing doesn’t have to be boring and mundane. Create a cozy reading or nap nook by adding a low-seater sofa or simply putting some large cushions on the floor and then doing it up with throws and pillows. It can be a space for your pet to relax. Alternatively, create an elegant and enviable vignette by adding a side table along with décor items like statues or large vases. This can be a space for you to drop your keys and other knick knacks as you go up to your bedroom. If your staircase has the space, the key is to make the most of available alcoves by adding pleasing furniture and decor.

Fagu is one of the most joyous festivals celebrated in Tarai Madhes. Known as Holi or Faguwa throughout the region, it is a celebration of vibrant colors and carries connotations of romance, particularly the use of red powder. The festivities differ between the Kathmandu Valley and Terai-Madhes regions. In Kathmandu's Durbar Square, a UNESCO heritage site, the revelry commences with the raising of the Chir pole, amid splashes of water, and yellow, blue, and vermilion powders.

During Fagu, participants gleefully throw a mixture of colors at passersby, friends, relatives, and occasionally, foreign visitors. Although the festival lasts a week, the highlight remains the playful exchange of colored powders (Abir) and water. The festival officially begins on the 8th day of the waxing moon, marked by the ceremonial pole-raising near the Kumari temple in Basantpur.

The Chir pole has connection to Lord Krishna's times. It is believed that pieces of cloth hung in the Chir represent garments of the Gopinis, the milkmaids who accompanied Krishna, which Krishna stole and hung in the tree while they were taking a bath. It is believed that the multicolored Chir represents the Kadam tree that Lord Krishna climbed with the stolen garments of the milkmaids. Amidst these festivities lies a lovely story depicting Krishna’s playful escapades with Radha and her friends, captured by the great Mithila poet Vidyapati:

Let’s go to see Basant (Spring)

Where Ketaki and Kund are laughing

The moon is clear

The bees are black

Night is dim

The beloved one is getting angry

Kamadev (god of love) fights with his enemy

In Tarai Madhesh, Fagu is celebrated a day after the full moon. The night before Fagu, locals traditionally burn heaps of garbage. The next day is a revelry filled with folk songs, colorful powders, and offerings of betel nuts, coconut, cardamom, raisin and cloves. They also eat, drink, and make merry because merriment is the main motto of Fagua. The festival of colors is celebrated as the biggest festival of joy. The whole atmosphere resounds with Fagu folk songs, which are very melodious to listen to.

This festival is linked to the full moon because it is believed to heighten not only the sexual urges of youngsters but also of elderly people. The moonlit night enhances the vitality and vigor of the participants, filling their hearts with joy and merriment. Kamdeva, the god of love, is said to infuse vitality and vigor into people of all ages during this romantic festival. Newly engaged and married couples find particular enjoyment during this time, as Cupid breathes life into the otherwise mundane existence of local residents. This festive season extends for weeks during which people of Madhesi origin consume eggs, fish, and meat to boost stamina and strength. Non-vegetarian meals serve as the primary source of increasing sexual excitement, often accompanied by home-brewed beer, while vegetarian individuals indulge in sweets and fruits.

This Hindu festival, known as Holi, embodies a spirit of unity and camaraderie in Tarai Madhes, transcending barriers of gender and caste. The first night is the day of prayer of the Holi Fire. The second day is the day of dust (Dhulikshava), and the third day is of Rangotsav (the festival of colors). The goddess of Holia is invoked on the first day. This festival has a Puranic origin. It has been mentioned in the Bhabishya Purana that as the month of Falgun is the last month of the calculation of months according to the Shalvahan calendar, it is to be celebrated as the festival ringing in the new year. As PB Shelley has also said, “If winter comes, can spring be far behind?” So, it is also regarded as a spring festival or Basantotsav. People also enjoy a symbolic bonfire during this festival.

There is also a legend about the story of Lord Shiva getting angry and opening his third eye to burn Kamdeva, who later became Anang (bodiless). He was afterward restored to life by the grace of Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. This festival is celebrated throughout Madhes every year with pomp and fervor. Holi is the popular festival of the Madhesi people, so the Holi or Hori or Fagua folk songs are very melodious. The mythological relevance is revealed in the following folk song:

On the day Krishna played the flute,

The three worlds were connected,

What was the flute made of?

And how was it tied?

On the day, Krishna charmed the world,

With bones and flesh the flute was made

With love it was tied

This festival is related to Krishna and Radha, Rama and Sita, and Shiva and Parvati. So, it has some religious fervor too. Otherwise, it is fundamentally a folk festival of romance and sexual urge. Holi is one of the most colorful festivals of various colors celebrated in Nepal and the neighboring nation of India. 

Throughout Madhes, Holi is celebrated with pomp and fervor, echoing with melodious folk songs that narrate tales of Krishna, Radha, Rama, Sita, Shiva, and Parvati. While rooted in religious tradition, Holi fundamentally embodies the spirit of romance and merriment, shared across Nepal and neighboring India, enriching both nations' cultural and social heritage.