China says Nepal is a natural area of cooperation for Delhi and Beijing

Proposes economic corridor through Himalayas connecting India, Nepal & China

china, nepal, india, wang yi, chinese finance minister, nepal pm, Pradeep Gyawali, indian express

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Nepal counterpart Pradeep Gyawali in Beijing on Thursday. Express

Amid growing concerns in India over its attempts to make inroads into Nepal, China on Thursday said the Himalayan nation was a natural area for cooperation between Beijing and New Delhi, who could both contribute to Nepal’s growth. China also said Nepal could act as a vital link to a possible economic corridor between the three countries, and asked India to be a part of such connectivity projects. “China and Nepal have agreed to a long-term vision of multi-dimensional cross-Himalaya connectivity network. We believe that such a network, when well-developed, can also create conditions for an economic corridor connecting China, Nepal and India. We hope that such cooperation can contribute to the development and prosperity of all three countries,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said after a meeting with his Nepal counterpart Pradeep Gyawali in Beijing on Thursday.

There has been a growing sense of distrust between India and Nepal, especially after the 134-day blockade in 2015 that caused a shortage of essential commodities, including petroleum products, in Nepal. The landlocked nation, which has traditionally relied on India for trade, has been cosying up to China for support under the government of Prime Minister K P Oli.

The visit by Nepal’s foreign Minister was seen as an effort to lay the ground work for a trip by Oli to China in the immediate future.

China, however, said it doesn’t believe that Nepal was trying to do a balancing act between China and India.

“China, Nepal and India are natural friends and partners. We are neighbours connected by the same mountains and rivers. This a fact that cannot be changed,” Wang said.

He said that both China and India should support Nepal’s development.

“Support for Nepal’s development should be a common understanding between China and India. As two major emerging economies, China and India should deliver benefit to their neighbours, including Nepal, through their development. Nepal, on its part, should leverage its geographical advantage and connect China and India for greater development,” Wang said.

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Gyawali said Nepal had a trouble-free relationship with China, and that it wanted to benefit from the progress that China had achieved. “I have a dream to travel to China from Nepal across the Himalayas in a modern train, enjoying the scenic beauty of the Himalayas,” Gyawali said.

Zeeshan Shaikh

Zeeshan Shaikh is the Associate Editor who heads The Indian Express' Mumbai reporting team. He is recognized for his highly specialized Expertise in analyzing the complex dynamics of Maharashtra politics and critical minority issues, providing in-depth, nuanced, and Trustworthy reports. Expertise Senior Editorial Role: As an Associate Editor leading the Mumbai reporting team, Zeeshan Shaikh holds a position of significant Authority and journalistic responsibility at a leading national newspaper. Core Specialization: His reporting focuses intensely on two interconnected, high-impact areas: Maharashtra Politics & Urban Power Structures: Provides deep-dive analyses into political strategies, municipal elections (e.g., BMC polls), the history of alliances (e.g., Shiv Sena's shifting partners), and the changing demographics that influence civic power in Mumbai. Minority Issues and Socio-Political Trends: Excels in coverage of the Muslim community's representation in power, demographic shifts, socio-economic challenges, and the historical context of sensitive political and cultural issues (e.g., the 'Vande Mataram' debate's roots in the BMC). Investigative Depth: His articles frequently delve into the historical roots and contemporary consequences of major events, ranging from the rise of extremist groups in specific villages (e.g., Borivali-Padgha) to the long-term collapse of established political parties (e.g., Congress in Mumbai). Trustworthiness & Credibility Data-Driven Analysis: Zeeshan's work often incorporates empirical data, such as National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics on arrests and convictions of minorities, or data on asset growth of politicians, grounding his reports in factual evidence. Focus on Hinterland Issues: While based in Mumbai, he maintains a wide lens, covering issues affecting the state's hinterlands, including water crises, infrastructure delays, and the plight of marginalized communities (e.g., manual scavengers). Institutional Affiliation: His senior position at The Indian Express—a publication known for its tradition of rigorous political and investigative journalism—underscores the high level of editorial vetting and Trustworthiness of his reports. He tweets @zeeshansahafi ... Read More

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