New Delhi (Sputnik): Nepal's energy cooperation with China could end the land-locked nation's dependency on neighboring India for its power needs, The Himalayan Times reports. The Nepal government has formed a seven-member committee to hold talks with China to implement the MoU on energy cooperation signed between the countries earlier this year in June.
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"Nepal-China cooperation is increasing especially after Oli came to power. Nepal needs economic support for the development of infrastructure and energy requirements. Nepal has learned lessons from the 2015 economic blockade and doesn't want to put all of its eggs in one basket and is, therefore, hobnobbing with China to meet its requirements. Although it will definitely make a dent in India's sphere of influence but it would not diminish India's role due to its close proximity and ancient ties. The fact is that Nepal needs both India and China for its development," Dr. Pramod Jaiswal, a Nepal-based strategic expert, told Sputnik.
The steering committee will prepare the ground for creating an environment conducive to promoting investment in the energy sector from both the government and private sectors.
Given the fact that the Himalayan nation is sandwiched between the two Asian giants, historically Nepal has always maintained an equidistant outlook towards both. However, Nepali and Indian relations have been rough since Nepal promulgated a new constitution in 2015. India viewed the new constitution as a blatant denial of equal rights to the Madhesi people (who have close ties to India's bordering states) and imposed an unofficial economic blockade. Meanwhile, China and Nepal have grown closer in recent times with the latter anticipating huge economic benefits from China's vision of the Belt and Road initiative.
The views and opinion expressed by Dr. Pramod Jaiswal in this article are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik.
