Nepal Eyes Strategic Role as Bridge Between India and China

Kathmandu: Nepal wants to transform itself from a landlocked country into a "vibrant, dynamic bridge" connecting India and China, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said here on Friday.

Nepal welcomed the continued development and prosperity of both India and China, Khanal said as he inaugurated a two-day international conference titled 'China and South Asia in a Multipolar World.'

The foreign minister added that Nepal remained committed to strengthening its relations with both its neighbours based on "sovereign equality, mutual respect, mutual benefit, and sensitivity to each other's legitimate interests and concerns."

The conference was jointly organised by the Centre for South Asian Studies, Fudan University, China, and Nepal Institute for International Cooperation and Engagement.

The remarks assume significance as Nepal's new government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah has sought to pursue a balanced foreign policy towards its two immediate neighbours while placing greater emphasis on economic diplomacy, investment and connectivity.

"Asia's transformation presents unprecedented opportunities for shared prosperity," Khanal said, stressing that South Asia possesses enormous promise, although much of its economic potential remains untapped.

He said economic diplomacy had become "one of the defining priorities" of Nepal's external engagement and that the country's foreign policy was aimed at improving the lives of its people through trade, investment, employment, tourism, technology, innovation and sustainable development.

"Nepal sincerely welcomes the continued development and prosperity of both India and China and remains committed to further strengthening its longstanding bilateral relations with both neighbours independently, on the basis of sovereign equality, mutual respect, mutual benefit, and sensitivity to each other's legitimate interests and concerns," he said.

"Nepal aspires to transform itself from a landlocked country into a vibrant, dynamic bridge connecting China and India," Khanal added.

Khanal's back-to-back visits to New Delhi and Beijing in June were seen as an early indication of Kathmandu's effort to maintain balanced ties with both neighbours.

He had earlier said Nepal wants to build stronger and deeper relations with both India and China, describing the southern and northern neighbours as vital partners for the Himalayan nation.