KATHMANDU, Sept. 25 (Nepal Foreign Affairs)–India has started pouring money in the name of supporting local communities especially in Nepal’s northern districts bordering China in the recent years.
An official at the Nepal’s Ministry of Finance said that China has expressed its serious concerns over the increasing Indian money along the China-Nepal border.
However, due to undue influence of India in this tiny Himalayan nation, Nepali top leaders and the government officials have remained silent so far over China’s growing concerns over the Indian investments along China-Nepal bordering areas.
Indian, American and European Ambassadors have made frequent visits to Mustang and Manang Districts of Nepal’s northern districts in the recent years. This is the same region which was once the base for an America-funded Free Tibet Movement was launched against China in 1959.
“Foreign diplomats including Indian, American and Europeans come to this region at least twice a month in the recent years. Sometimes we are kept in the dark about their visits. As soon as they come there, they meet local people and begin to talk about activities carried out by the armed forces of the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China on the Chinese side of border,” said a police official working in Mustang District.
Now, Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Ranjit Rae is visiting Lo Manthang area of Mustang in the name of inaugurating some India-funded projects in the region.
Ambassador Rae inaugurated projects constructed with Indian financial assistance in different parts of the district.
The Ambassador also inspected the under-construction projects and discussed ways to complete these projects in a timely fashion with the district officials, contractors and the local stakeholders.
Similarly, the Indian Ambassador reached Jomsom on the morning of September 23, 2016, and inaugurated 3 Indian grant projects at Tukuche, Kagbeni and Jharkot.
The newly constructed two storied building for Shree Yogendra Higher Secondary School at Tukuche has been constructed with the Government of India’s grant assistance worth Nepali Rupees 44.39 million.
Ambassador Rae inaugurated the River Training Work on Kali Gandaki River at Kagbeni, with Indian grant assistance of Nepali Rupees 30.72 million.
“As we know, that during the rainy season inundation of land threatened the residents of its catchment area and the historical Buddhist Monastery ‘Kag chode thupten Samphel Ling located at the River bank. Completion of the river protection work will minimize the threat to the monastery and the residents from inundation,” the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu said in its statement.
On the same day, Ambassador Rae also inaugurated the newly renovated Community Hall at Jharkot, Muktinath. The refurbishment work of the community hall has been completed with the Government of India’s grant assistance to the tune of Nepali Rupees 5.28 Lakh under its Small Development Project scheme. The renovated hall will benefit over 17,000 locals and pilgrims visiting the Muktinath temple.
On September 24, 2016, Ambassador Rae inaugurated the Purangaun drinking water supply project at Muktinath. Completion of this project would ensure supply of safe drinking water to two VDCs Ranipawa and Purangaon. The project has been completed with financial assistance of Nepali Rupees 10.30 million. The Indian Ambassador will be staying there next few days and interact with some local people.