Review the final output Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal firmly rejected the idea that his country should choose between its two powerful neighbors, China and India. Speaking at the NDTV World “Anviksha” India-Nepal Dialogue in Kathmandu on Thursday, he used a vivid family analogy to convey why Nepal values both relationships equally. “You can’t tell your father that you’ll replace him with your mother, or vice versa,” he said, emphasizing Nepal’s commitment to balanced diplomacy.
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## Emphasizing Rational Engagement Over Emotions
During his address, Khanal acknowledged Nepal’s deep emotional ties to both India and China, born of geography and history. But he insisted that foreign relations must be guided by rationality and national interest rather than sentiment.
– He described Nepal’s connections with each country as “very unique,” with their own value and historical merit.
– Drawing from family metaphors, Khanal stressed that just as personal relationships differ between parents and siblings, Nepal treats its relationships with India and China as equally distinct and respected.
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## Clearing Misconceptions: “Captured” by the North?
Khanal addressed rumors and media narratives, particularly emanating from India, that Nepal has become overly aligned or even controlled by China. He rejected these portrayals.
– “Again, we have a wonderful relationship with China and we’d like to continue to maintain that relationship,” he said, pointing out centuries of trade, civilization, and cooperation between Nepal and China.
– At the same time, he emphasized, “two-thirds of Nepal’s entire trade is with India… There’s one single country that Nepal trades with, and that’s only India.”
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## Belt and Road Initiative: No Returns?
Minister Khanal also took a critical look at Nepal’s cooperation with China under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). He noted that despite entering into a framework agreement in 2017 and following up with an implementation agreement last year, Nepal has received **zero returns** from BRI projects over the past decade.
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## Invitation for Indian Investment
Shifting focus to opportunity, Khanal encouraged Indian businesses to increase investment in Nepal. He indicated openness toward collaboration particularly in energy, tourism, and technology sectors.
– A framework already exists to export 10,000 megawatts of electricity to India.
– The tech sector is growing: Nepal has exported nearly a billion dollars in tech services.
– Khanal also urged investment in infrastructure, especially improving air and road connectivity.
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## National Interest Above All
Through all his remarks, Khanal returned to the central theme: Nepal will maintain relations with both India and China based on its own priorities. He framed his role as foreign minister in these terms, aiming to build policy rooted in history, engagement, and the well-being of Nepal.
– He rejected anything that suggests Nepal would “supplement one with the other,” clarifying that his nation does not see its bilateral ties as interchangeable.
– He underscored how Nepalese foreign policy, in his view, must serve national interest first.
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## Significance for Nepal’s Foreign Policy
Khanal’s comments offer a snapshot of Nepal’s evolving diplomatic stance. They reflect a pushback against external narratives that portray Nepal as leaning too heavily toward either China or India. More than anything, they signal Kathmandu’s intent to pursue a more assertive and nuanced foreign policy—a strategy rooted in history, balance, and Nepal’s own sense of sovereignty.
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