New Mandate, New Risks: Nepal’s Foreign Policy Under Scrutiny
Summary
Nepal's foreign policy under Prime Minister Balendra Shah faces scrutiny amid complex ties with India, China, and the US, especially concerning the Limpiyadhura Triangle dispute and hydropower projects.
Key Points
- Nepal's foreign policy management under PM Balendra Shah requires sobriety to handle complex international relationships amid geopolitical shifts involving the US, China, and India.
- The longstanding Nepal-India relationship is strained, notably due to the Limpiyadhura Triangle territorial dispute and India's infrastructural plans on Nepal's rivers.
- Nepal's emphasis on hydropower export overlooks India's priority for high dams and reservoirs to meet its urban and irrigation demands.
- The Eminent Persons Group (EPG) report intended to improve Nepal-India ties remains stalled due to India's reluctance to accept its recommendations.
- The introduction of India's Agnipath scheme challenges the traditional Gorkha recruitment, prompting Nepal to reconsider allowing its citizens to serve in the Indian Army.
