Nepal Foreign Affairs (KATHMANDU, 3 September 2017) – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Krishna Bahadur Mahara will leave for China on Wednesday at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Mahara’s visit to northern neighbour attaches high importance as the Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba’s state visit to Southern neighbour has reiterated strategic deal on defence cooperation.
Though Chinese Spokesperson Hua Chunying had said that China would be happy to see the better relationship between Nepal and India, Beijing has remained ”alert” in the agreement on strengthening defence and security cooperation.
New Delhi’s media has been highlighting that the agreement on further enhancing close cooperation between the Indian Army and Nepal Army has been the major achievement for India.
In the 46-point Joint Statement issued in the second day of the Prime Minister’s India visit, the two points are about forging close partnership between the two countries on security and border issues.
”The two Prime Ministers expressed satisfaction over the ongoing defence cooperation and committed to further enhancing close cooperation between the Indian Army and the Nepal Army. Prime Minister of Nepal thanked the Government of India for continued assistance in training and capacity building of the security Forces” read the 11 no. point of statement.
Similarly, the point no.12 has mentioned that the two sides would not allow their territories to be used against any activities inimical to the other.
”The two Prime Ministers expressed satisfaction at the excellent cooperation on security-related matters. The two sides expressed commitment to ensure that the open border, a unique feature of India-Nepal bilateral relations that has facilitated unhindered movement of people on both sides of the border, is not misused by unscrupulous elements posing security threat to either side. The two sides reiterated their commitment that their respective territories would not be allowed to be used for any activities inimical to the other” read the statement.
According to the sources at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Prime Minister Mahara will brief the Chinese officials about the progress made by Nepal on OBOR and implementation of the agreements and understandings reached between the two sides in the previous dispensions.
Besides reviewing the progress made on the previous agreements, Mahara will involve in high level political meetings that intents to assure Beijing that Nepal was committed to work with China.
Minister Mahara would be questioned about the agreements signed between Nepal and India in regarding to forge partnership on security and border matters. At time when Doklam standoff was creating tension in Tibet-Bhutan border and Nepal was dragging into controversy by seeking its role, the New Delhi statement has added suspicions in China.
”Nepal’s current ruling alliance has been tacitly supported by Indian establishment for the fulfilment of their vested interest. Prime Minister Deuba’s statement on constitution amendment in India for acknowledging New Delhi’s role in Nepal’s domestic affairs has made China worried” an official of MoFA said, ”Beijing can diplomatically question Mahara about Kathmandu’s neighbourhood policy expressing discontents on what had been earlier transpired to them.”