Tension in Nepal

By Dave Wood / April 23, 2013;

Nepal Congress President Sushil Koirala
Photo: The Hindu

Newly appointed Chinese ambassador to Nepal, Wu Chuntai, met the Nepalese Congress President Sushil Koirala on April 19 to discuss Chinese interests within Nepal, including the concerns over Tibetan activities. These meetings come a month after Wu called for ‘comprehensive cooperative partnership’ with Nepal, which includes political support as well as infrastructure projects.

During the meeting the Nepalese political and economic situation was discussed, reflecting the opinion of many Chinese scholars that security concerns and economic prosperity are ‘two sides of the same coin’. With increasingly strengthened relations, Nepalese ministers have been quick to distance themselves from the Tibetan refugee crisis. Foreign Minister Madav Ghimire last month reassured China that ‘we are committed to the one-China policy and will not let our grounds be used against our neighbours’, hinting at recent disquiet amongst the Tibetan refugee community, of which there are over 20,000.

In a meeting in Beijing, a senior Nepalese leader has promised China’s President Xi Jinping that the Himalayan country will “repress” Tibetan refugees living in Nepal who are involved in free Tibet activities.

Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda
Photo: Wikipedia

Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda, Chairman of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) met the Chinese president Xi Jinping on April 18 in Beijing during his week-long visit to China, and promised China’s President that the Himalayan country will “repress” Tibetan refugees living in Nepal who are involved in free Tibet activities. According to asianews.it, Prachanda told Xi that Nepal will “stop any anti-Chinese protests, even by repressing Tibetan refugees in Kathmandu who continue to ask for a free Tibet…. The national stability and integrity of both countries will not be compromised in the name of religious freedom and human rights.”

Historically, as a nation between two major regional superpowers, China and India, Nepal has had to balance the interests of both. However, recent moves by the Nepalese Congress suggest an increase of movement towards China, and given recent protests by Tibetans, an increase of tension and unease.