Strengthening of Indo-US relation is aimed at containing China

Chandra Lal Giri

President, Asian Studies and Research Center,Nepal

The Telegraph Weekly and its online edition telegraphnepal.com talked to this pulsating young man on several aspects of Nepal-China relations and also on the ongoing Nepali politics. Here are the excerpts of this exclusive interview: Chief Editor.

TGQ1: Mr. Giri, could you please inform our august reader about the conclusion of the discussion program organized by Xinhua University on US's South Asia Policy? Also tell us about how the Chinese intellectuals have been analyzing things happening in Nepal?

Giri: All the participants from different countries were of the opinion that US's South Asia policy is a double standard one. It is using two arch rival countries of South Asia, India and Pakistan, to fulfill its vested interest. The meeting concluded that such a policy of the US may be counterproductive for US itself in the long run. The participants also opined that mushrooming global terrorism is also the product of unjust foreign policy of US.

After the killing of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan by the US army, the security paradigm of South Asia has taken a new turn. The US has reduced the amount of aid to Pakistan accusing the latter for providing safe haven to the late Osama. At the same time, the US is intending to further strengthen its bilateral relations with India. The discussion concluded that strengthening of the Indo-US relation is aimed towards containing China.

 I found Chinese the intellectuals very positive towards Nepal. They think Nepal is a trusted and friendlier nation of China since long. Nepal has never become hostile towards China.

However, they are worried by the prolonged transitional period in Nepal. They fear that political insatiability may boost the morale of activists of Free Tibet Movement in Nepal. Therefore, the Chinese intellectual wish the Chinese government supporting Nepal in ending the current transition period. They also want their government to further provide substantial economic assistances to Nepal. They think that a politically stable and prosperous Nepal will be in the overall interest of both China and Nepal.

TGQ2: Sources who claim to be closer to Chinese lobby in Kathmandu say that Chinese are annoyed with the excessive maneuvering of Indo-US axis in the formation of Dr. Baburam Bhattarai led government. Do you think China is not satisfied with Dr. Bhattarai’s led government?

Please be kind enough to shed some light also on Tibetan issues which you have been, we are told, studying with deep interest.  Could you please inform us about the current status of Free Tibet activists in Nepal?

Giri: I don’t think so. This is a Maoist led government. And we all know that China is very positive towards the Maoists of Nepal. Despite the backing of Indo-US axis to the incumbent government, the Chinese firmly believe that this government can never be hostile towards its northern neighbor. No matter whichever party comes to the power, the Chinese want their security concerns to be properly and adequately addressed. This much is sufficient for them. Dr. Bhattarai knows this fact well.

As regards to your second attached question, well, the Free Tibetan activists are not in a position to organize large scale anti-China protests in Nepal. However, it doesn't mean that they were not that active.  

Kathmandu witnessed mass demonstrations of Free Tibet activists during 2008 and 2009. The activists have lost their strength. However, they are still organizing small protests occasionally.

The envoys of the Dalai Lama are still maneuvering in Nepal.  The ministers, parliamentarians and envoy of Dalai Lama are visiting Nepal quiet frequently. Mr. Thinley Lama, the Nepal coordinator of Dalai Lama has recently been appointed. This shows that Free Tibetan activists are trying to regain their lost strength.  But Nepal government has adopted a harsh policy towards the activists of the Free Tibet movement. This has created trouble to the Free Tibetan activists to carry out their “desired” activities.

During his meeting with US President Barak Obama on 16 July, 2011, Dalai Lama had appealed the President to exert pressure on the Government of Nepal to relax its policy vis-à-vis Free Tibetan movement. This also shows that the current status of Free Tibetan activists in Nepal is not in good shape.

TGQ3: It is widely accused that political parties of Nepal are providing clandestine support to the activists of Free Tibetan Movement. What do you want to say about this?

By the way also tell us please as to what type of role China is seeking in Nepal? Can you guess? If you can?

Giri: Such accusations are partially true. Many political parties of Nepal are, in fact, the proxies of their alien masters.  And therefore their position towards China is not different. There are many sympathizers of Free Tibet Movement in the pro-Indian and pro-US political parties of Nepal.  And some leaders and civil society members, who call themselves as democrats and human right activists, are also providing clandestine support to Free Tibet Movement.

However, Nepal is committed on one-China policy. Not any single party do have the strength to alter this policy. Nepal can never be hostile towards its northern neighbor. This is the geopolitical compulsion of Nepal.

Conclusion of peace process and constitution drafting process is in the overall interest of China. And therefore China is seeking its role in these issues. Beijing is apparently willing to support Nepal in shortening the present transitional period. China is looking to make large investment in Nepal. But it wants Nepal Government to guarantee the security of those investments.

During Panchayat period, Chinese government had established several industries in Nepal. However, after the advent of democracy in 1990, the successive pro-Indian governments of Nepal liquidated those China funded industries. This has annoyed the Chinese. They do not want Nepal government to repeat such activities in the future.

However, China is very serious towards its security concerns in Nepal. It may flex its muscles if Nepal dares to underestimate China's security concerns in Nepali soil. This is for sure.

TGQ4: It is said that China's role in Nepal is aimed towards curtailing the influence of India and also of some western countries. Do you think it to be so?

Some prominent analysts of Nepal are time and again repeating that India and China had reached a gentlemen agreement in 1988 to accept Nepal as a sphere of influence of India. Do you think this to be true?

Giri: China is dynamically marching ahead with an ambition to become super power. To shatter this dream of China, the US and some European nations are trying to create trouble inside China's fragile region like Tibet and Xinjing. India is also not totally distanced from this grand design against China.

China wants to remain safe from the Nepali soil. I think its presence in Nepal is meant for addressing its security concerns, not for countering any third country.

Nepal shares open border with India. Its religious and cultural affinities and economic dependencies towards India have made the latter a major stakeholder of Nepali politics. I think China has realized this fact, but has yet not accepted. Therefore, I don’t think that any agreement was ever reached between India and China to certify that Nepal fell in the sphere of influence of India.

TGQ5: Let's change the context. Do you think the ongoing peace and constitution drafting process is likely to be concluded during Dr. Bhattarai premiership?

In the meantime, the Internal rift inside Maoist rose dramatically after the handing over of the keys of the containers with weapons to Army Integration Special Committee (AISC). Your comments on this squabble inside Maoist party please?

Interestingly, Dr. Bhattarai has said that he is seeking support from India to conclude peace and constitution drafting process. What type of support is he seeking? Can you guess?

Giri: Dr. Bhattarai is the last hope of Nepal. If constitution drafting process and peace process fails to conclude during his tenure, the ongoing political course of Nepal is likely to change dramatically. This may be disastrous for the nation.

Dr. Bhattarai and chairman Prachanda have understood this fact. I have heard that they have reached an agreement to conclude peace process and constitution drafting process despite of the resistance from the hardliner faction of their own party. At personal level, I am very much optimistic towards Dr. Bhattarai’s led government.

Answering your second question, both the Maoist and other parliamentarian parties had made a compromise while signing the 12 point agreement in New Delhi. The Maoists had agreed to abandon its motive to install a totalitarian communist regime in Nepal and the parliamentary parties had agreed to accept the abolition of monarchy.

The integration and rehabilitation of Maoists combatants is essential for the Maoist to fulfill their commitment. If they do not want to accommodate themselves in multiparty democratic system, then why they have signed the 12 point agreement?  I think the opposition of Kiran's faction is irrational.

He might, in an implied and subtle manner, has asked India not to interfere in the conclusion of peace and constitution drafting process. And in addition, he might have asked India to support for the development of Nepal.

India, from the very beginning, is continuously using Nepali political leaders to fulfill its vested interests. India may try to use Dr. Bhattarai also. But I don’t think Dr. Bhattarai will bow down against the Indian design. Dr. Bhattarai is not a shaky and corrupt leader like others.  No one can exploit a visionary and honest person. Dr. Bhattarai is India sympathizer. However, India cannot convince and press him to fulfill their illogical and illegitimate demands.   

Post your Comment here

TERMS OF USE:The views, opinions and comments posted are your, and are not endorsed by this website. You shall be solely responsible for the comment posted here. The website reserves the right to delete, reject, or otherwise remove any views, opinions and comments posted or part thereof. You shall ensure that the comment is not inflammatory, abusive, derogatory, defamatory &/or obscene, or contain pornographic matter and/or does not constitute hate mail, or violate privacy of any persons) or breach confidentiality or otherwise is illegal, immoral or contrary to public policy. Nor should it contain anything infringing copyright &/or intellectual property rights of any person(s).

• Name :         
• Email :          

Comment:


Security Code

• Enter the text above 

I agree