nepal_top_newspaper
  • nepal_top_newsportal
  • nepal_top_newsportal
  • nepal_top_newsportal
  • nepal_top_newsportal
nepal_top_newsportal
annapurna post
×
logo
  • Home
  • Editorial
  • Society
  • Opinion
  • Features
  • ApEx Pioneers
  • My Vision for Nepal
  • Politics
  • What If...?
  • Review
  • ApEx Series
  • Business
  • Mind Matters
  • Interview
  • Obituary
  • Spirituality
  • Auto & Tech
  • Illustration
  • Eating Out
  • Panorama
  • Online Exclusive
  • Making Nepal Better
  • Event
  • Sneak Peek
  • It's Time To...
  • Current Affairs
  • Long Read
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • Video
  • Series
  • Archive
  • About Us
  • Home
  • Editorial
  • Society
  • Opinion
  • Features
  • ApEx Pioneers
  • My Vision for Nepal
  • Series
  • Video
  • Archive
  • About Us
nepal_top_newsportal

Deuba’s India visit: Symbolism over substance

With India closely monitoring the US-China competition in the Himalayas, it could convey to PM Deuba a message in this regard

Kamal Dev Bhattarai
Kamal Dev Bhattarai published on 2022-03-30 20:03:00
  • change font
  • change font
  • change font

Right or wrong, it is routine business for a Nepali prime minister to make New Delhi his first foreign port of call. And so on cue Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is visiting India from April 1-3. Covid lockdowns notwithstanding, when Deuba became PM last July, there was no enthusiasm in New Delhi to roll out a red carpet for the septuagenarian Nepali leader. Things have not changed much.

Deuba is thus unlikely to sign any important agreement. Foreign policy analyst Geja Sharma Wagle says it is more a goodwill visit to strengthen relations at the top political level (see Editorial).

The visit coincides with some vital domestic, regional, and international developments. Deuba is visiting India ahead of local polls which will soon be followed by national elections.

As India is concerned over the shape of the post-election government, say Nepali Congress leaders, the issue could figure in bilateral talks. Of late, India has adopted a hands-off approach in Nepal but it has also subtly let its distaste for a broad (Panda-hugging) left alliance be known. 

With India also closely monitoring the growing US-China competition in the Himalayas, the Indian side could convey to PM Deuba some message in this regard.

Says India-Nepal relations expert and ApEx columnist Nihar R. Nayak, India is uncomfortable with the growing strategic competition between two major world powers in the Himalayas. India expects these powers to respect India’s security concerns, he says, adding that this issue could crop up during Deuba’s Delhi trip. “India is worried that some Chinese projects in Nepal may undercut its strategic and security interests in the Himalayas. It does not want any disturbance on its northern frontier,” Nayak says.

The Russia-Ukraine crisis could also come up during discussions.

On the bilateral front, government officials say that even with low expectations, all outstanding issues will be discussed. Supply of fertilizers, connectivity projects mainly railways, Pancheshwar multipurpose development project are all on the agenda. Nepal is also preparing to raise the map dispute.

Trending

  • Govinda Karmacharya, Bhagwati Regmi elected as Chief, Deputy Chief of Bhirkot Municipality, Syangja
    2022-05-16
    1
  • Nepal, India sign 6 agreements
    2022-05-16
    2
  • Local polls: Maoist Centre emerges victorious in 16 wards, NC 10 and UML 5
    2022-05-16
    3
  • 2 killed, 15 injured as moving bus comes in contact with live wire in Salyan
    2022-05-16
    4
  • NC panel wins in three wards of Dhanauji, Dhanusha
    2022-05-16
    5
  • Local polls: NC candidates emerge victorious in Dhakari Rural Municipality of Achham
    2022-05-16
    6
  • I am happy to visit Lumbini: Indian PM Modi
    2022-05-16
    7
  • NC wins in Dhankaul Rural Municipality in Sarlahi
    2022-05-16
    8

nepal_top_newspaper

Publisher: Captain Rameshwar Thapa

Editor-In-Chief: Biswas Baral

Registration Number: 1294/075-76

Corporate Tower, Tinkune, Kathmandu

Post Box - 2499

Phone - 4482305/ 4482207/ 4469758

Email - info@amn.media,
theannapurnaexpress@gmail.com

Categories

  • Editorial
  • Society
  • Opinion
  • Features
  • ApEx Pioneers
  • My Vision for Nepal
  • Politics
  • What If...?
  • VIDEO
  • ARCHIVE
  • SERIES

Get Latest News!

We will send you breaking news right to your inbox

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise
  • About Us
Powered By yarsha
© 2022 Annapurna Media Network. All rights reserved.