SCO Summit Tests Kathmandu’s Balancing Act
Summary
Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli attends the SCO Summit in Tianjin amid growing opportunities and risks as Nepal seeks deeper engagement with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation to diversify trade and enhance regional cooperation.
Key Points
- The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has grown into a significant global power covering 42% of the world's population and $23 trillion in GDP.
- Nepal has been a dialogue partner of SCO since 2016 and may advance to full membership or observer status following the Tianjin SCO Summit.
- Nepal aims to balance relations between India and China while expanding trade routes and economic opportunities through SCO connectivity.
- Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is expected to articulate Nepal's priorities including trade diversification, investment attraction, and territorial sovereignty at the summit.
