India-Nepal Relations-3 Being a powerful neighboring country, it is natural for Nepal to have good relations with China, but behind these relations are not only traditional arrangements, but also modern needs. The foundation of diplomatic relations was laid between the two on 1 August 1955. There is a 1,414-kilometer-long

the border between the two countries. This range is surrounded by high and snowy mountains. 16.39 percent area of Nepal comes in this line of the Himalayas. Whatever may have been the initial understanding, Nepal has only done things to please China in recent years..

India-Nepal Relations It is obvious that China welcomed this decision of Nepal

On 21 January 2005, the Government of Nepal closed the representative office of the Dalai Lama, known as the Tibetan Refugee Welfare Office. The US Embassy in Kathmandu objected to this, but Nepal remained adamant on the decision. It is obvious that China welcomed this decision of Nepal.

Nepal remained neutral during the Indo-China war of 1962

India-Nepal Relations Despite having a defense agreement with India, Nepal remained neutral during the Indo-China war of 1962. He refused to take sides, while India wanted Nepal to come openly with India. An introduction to this ‘neutrality’ of Nepal was seen in 1969, when Nepali Prime Minister Kirti Nidhi Bisht threatened that if India did not withdraw its troops stationed on the northern border of Nepal, I would go on a fast.

After this, India withdrew its army, while the Indian Army was stationed there during the 1962 war. It is arranged under the 1950 treaty between India and Nepal. Nepal wanted to prove its neutrality by doing this and probably wanted to assure China that we are not with India against you. When the Doklam-dispute arose in 2017, the question was whether Nepal would be able to maintain its neutrality for long.

when Nepal was implementing the constitution

In 2015, when Nepal was implementing the constitution, the then Foreign Secretary of India S. Jaishankar went to Nepal and urged to consider India’s side in the constitution-making process. These concerns were about the Madhesis living in Terai. In the constitution of Nepal, it has been announced to make the country secular. There were also some doubts about its implications. On May 26, 2006, the then BJP President Rajnath Singh had said, “The fundamental identity of Nepal is that of a Hindu nation and this identity should not be allowed to fade away.” BJP will not be happy that Nepal loses its original identity under the pressure of Maoists.

Politicians of Nepal have objections that India interferes in their internal affairs

India-Nepal Relations Politicians of Nepal have objections that India interferes in their internal affairs. However, the constitution was made and the government was also formed there. On the other hand, in those days i.e. in 2015, India started an undeclared blockade. The petrol and diesel crisis has arisen in Nepal. On this, Nepal made announcements to open the transit route to China. But it’s a difficult job. It was also clear from the behavior of the Chinese ambassador in Nepal that these politicians had no objection to Chinese interference. Nepal also feels that India takes advantage of its dependence, so there is a need to strengthen the transit route with China.

Hiranya Lal Shrestha has written in his book ’60 Years of Dynamic Partnership’, “Nepal made an agreement with China on 15 October 1961 to build a road link between the two countries. Under this, there was talk of building the Arnico Highway from Kathmandu to Khasa. This agreement was also opposed by many western countries including India. According to the agreement, China built Arnico Highway and it was opened in 1967. It is said that this road was built by the Chinese Army People’s Liberation Army. This was the beginning of reducing dependence on India.

This highway is called the most dangerous road in the world

India-Nepal Relations This highway is called the most dangerous road in the world. Landslides are frequent here and this road is often closed. Nepal does business with China through this route, but it is very difficult. It rains heavily, due to which landslides are common here. The 112.83-kilometer-long road has steep slopes on both sides and it is said that driving on it is like putting one’s life at risk. This was the way of movement of yaks in the olden times. At the Sino-Nepal Friendship Bridge, the road meets China’s Highway 318, which leads to Lhasa. Then there is the road leading to Shanghai.

China is the second largest trade partner in Nepal after India. However, despite this, the size of the business is very small. According to Nepal’s Foreign Ministry, in 2017-18, Nepal exported a total of 23 million dollars from China. In the same period, Nepal imported one and a half billion dollars from China. Nepal’s trade deficit with China is increasing continuously.