Amid China's growing influence in Nepal, Army chief Naravane to meet PM Oli, revive strained ties

Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane will meet Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in Kathmandu during his three-day visit to the neighbouring Himalayan country starting November 4. As China makes attempts to increase its influence in Nepal amid the ongoing military tussle between the PLA and the Indian Army in Ladakh over the last six months and increasing land grab of Nepalese territory, border guarding cooperation is likely to be a key agenda for the armies of India and Nepal. The timing of the Army chief's visit to Nepal signals an attempt to revive the strained ties between two countries after a diplomatic row over a new map issued by Nepal, showing parts of what India claims to be part of the northern hill state of Uttarakhand bordering Nepal, as its territory. Nepal's objection came at a time when the ongoing standoff in Ladakh between the Indian and Chinese armies had just started in May, prompting Indian Army Chief Gen Naravane hinting at China's role in pushing Nepal to protest against India's road construction.