Kathmandu: Raj Kishor Yadav, leader of the Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP), has underscored the importance of maintaining balanced relations with China and regional powers during an interaction program organized by the Center for Social Inclusion and Federalism (CESIF).
Yadav, who also chairs the International Relations and Tourism Committee of the House of Representatives, spoke on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s visit to China. He stressed the need for Nepal to strike a balance in its relationships with the global community and regional powers. Yadav urged a composed foreign policy approach, emphasizing evaluation based on achieving balance rather than branding the visit as a success or failure.
During the program, Dr. Minendra Rijal, a Nepali Congress Central Executive Committee member, expressed concern over the imposing language in the joint statement of the China visit. He specifically highlighted apprehensions about the loan for the Pokhara Regional International Airport.
Former Ambassador Vijaya Kant Karna, the executive chairman of CESIF, acknowledged the visit’s importance but noted its limitations. Despite 12 points in the joint statement, Karna pointed out the lack of follow-through on previous agreements and the absence of Chinese investment in infrastructure development.
MP Chhiring Lhamu Lama (Tamang) emphasized the economic benefits of opening border crossings between Nepal and China, particularly in Karnali Province. Lama highlighted the potential for substantial economic gains if the five border crossings in Karnali were operational.
MP Shishir Khanal questioned the purpose behind the Prime Minister’s visit, expressing concerns about its impact on the Nepal-China relationship, including the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) agreement and border crossing issues. He also raised apprehensions about Nepal formally accepting the ‘One China Principle’ under the ‘One China Policy.’
Former Ambassador Madhu Raman Acharya highlighted the lack of meaningful progress in agreements, except for the transmission line between Kerung and Rasuwagadhi. He expressed worries about the implementation of agreements signed during former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s visit to China, particularly regarding the language used in the joint statement against Taiwan independence.