Has Nepal become ‘a yam between three boulders’?
Summary
Nepal, traditionally seen as a 'yam between two boulders' India and China, is now facing a new dynamic with increased US involvement shaping its geopolitical landscape and development strategies.
Key Points
- Nepal's strategic metaphor evolved from being a 'yam between two boulders' (India and China) to involving a third boulder, the USA.
- US engagement in Nepal since 1947 includes development aid, infrastructure projects, and governance programs, notably the MCC compact.
- The US's growing influence adds a triangular challenge in Nepal's geopolitical balance, intensifying competition among India, China, and the USA.
- Concerns exist that Nepal could become a contested space like Ukraine due to great-power rivalry affecting its strategic autonomy.
