Nepal PM Oli’s visit to China: High in optics, low in content
FirstpostThough Nepal wanted to balance India through expansion of ties with China, it hardly received anything substantial in return from Beijing High in optics and but low in content, Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s visit to China this week sends signals of balancing India. On December 3, Nepal and China issued a nine-point agreement on Tokha Chhare tunnel project to connect with the Tibet border, enhancement of trade, completion of nine-storey Basantpur Durbar, export of buffalo meat, cash assistance of $41 million, despatch of Chinese language teachers, economic and technical cooperation and media exchanges. However, due to the “harmonious clause” insisted by China on policy coordination — euphemism for tight Chinese controls — political consensus eludes Nepal in implementing any of the above BRI projects. Thus, even though Nepal wanted to balance India through expansion of ties with China, it hardly received anything substantial in return from Beijing.