CESIF holds seminar on ‘The Evolving Nepal-China Relationship: Navigating Challenges & Seizing Opportunities’

The Centre for Social Inclusion & Federalism (CESIF) held a seminar on ‘The Evolving Nepal-China Relationship: Navigating Challenges & Seizing Opportunities,’ at Marriott Hotel in Kathmandu on Wednesday.

The seminar was divided into three panels: ' Nepal-China Relations: Current Status,’ ‘Looking to the Future: Chinese Initiatives, BRI, GSI & National Security,’ and ‘Politics of Bilateral Relations.’

The seminar was timed to coincide with the Prime Minister's upcoming visit to Beijing this month.

Vijay Kant Karna, Executive Chair at CESIF, began the discussion program with a welcome remark. He pondered the Prime Minister's impending visit and the weight it carries for Nepal-China diplomatic relations.

“The Prime Minister’s visit is seen as an important occasion to resolve the existing issues and strengthen the bilateral ties. It is expected that PM Dahal will hold a discussion on the various avenues of bilateral relationships, including the long-stalled BRI projects and other issues of economic and bilateral cooperation,” he said, reads a statement issued by Centre for Social Inclusion & Federalism.

“While PM Dahal will have a hard time managing the diversified priorities of the parties in the ruling coalition back home while dealing with China, PM Dahal’s visit is expected to bring forth some tangible benefits to strengthen the bilateral relationship and resolve existing differences.”

The first session on ‘Nepal-China Relations: Current Status,’ brought together Ambassador Madhu Raman Acharya, former ambassador of Nepal, Purushottam Ojha, former secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies and Avasna Pandey, Lecturer at the Department of International Relations and Diplomacy, Tribhuvan University.

The session was moderated by author and researcher Amish Mulmi.

The session brought to the limelight Nepal’s need to focus on trans-border connectivity for improved cross-border trade, improved B2B movement, and better negotiations through varied forums. "China has been shifting its goalposts regarding its engagement in Nepal.

Earlier China’s engagement was confined largely within arenas of security and trade but now China wants Nepal to be a part of its diverse initiatives – this is directed at realizing its larger geopolitical aims and ambitions," Ambassador Madhu Raman Acharya said.

The second session on ‘Looking to the Future: Chinese Initiatives, BRI, GSI & National Security’ brought together General Gaurav Shumsher JB Rana (Retd.), former Chief of Army Staff at Nepal Army, Ambassador Dinesh Bhattarai, former ambassador of Nepal, Chandra Dev Bhatta, Political Scientist and Public Intellectual and Anil Giri, senior journalist at The Kathmandu Post.

The session was moderated by Ambassador Vijay Kant Karna, Executive Chair at CESIF.

The session brought to attention China’s new global initiatives and their implications for Nepal.

“In the current geopolitical context, Nepal would be wise to stick to its Constitution's principles of Panchasheel and non-alignment. We must be cautious but also flexible in our foreign policy; flexible being the keyword.” Gen. Gaurav Shamsher JB Rana (Retd.) expressed.

The final session on the ‘Politics of Bilateral Relations,’ brought together Shisir Khanal, Member of Parliament, representing Rastriya Swatantra Party, Dr Minendra Rijal, former Defense Minister of Nepal and Nepali Congress leader, Dr Lila Nyaichyai, Professor at the Tribhuvan University and the former member of the Constituent Assembly and Hari Sharma, Executive Director at Purak Asia and a Public Intellectual.

The session was moderated by Dr Govinda Raj Pokharel, former Vice Chairperson of the National Planning Commission and the Central Committee member of the Nepali Congress.

The panelists discussed the necessity to capitalize upon the Nepal-China relations whilst understanding China’s regional and global position.

“There has been a significant shift in the geopolitical landscape when compared to that of the 1950s, 60s – so, drawing parallels between these different contexts to analyze the contemporary geopolitical situation wouldn’t be so apt- and it doesn’t help in our diplomatic endeavors either.” Khanal shared.

The Prime Minister’s upcoming visit to Beijing was agreed by all to be a good opportunity to improve bilateral ties.

Panelists also shared a few priorities for the visit, including the implementation of previous agreements, negotiation for trade facilitation, upliftment of unilateral border control of different border points, and FDI traction.

The seminar event brought together noted intellectuals, academicians, politicians, bureaucrats, and journalists.

Centre for Social Inclusion & Federalism (CESIF) is a not-for-profit, autonomous, and independent private research institution serving the public interest, with significant independence from any interest group. Our mission is to help the government create a democratic, secure, and just society by making informed and transparent decisions about policies and practices.