Nepal’s new left-wing leaders want balance and prosperity, not to back China against India

Rubeena Mahato writes that Nepal’s newly elected Left Alliance is not doing Beijing’s bidding, but seeks to balance relations between China and India to promote economic growth and political stability

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Asha Maya Dangol, 80, shows her thumb print after casting her vote in Kathmandu, in the elections on December 7. Nepal's leftist alliance prevailed in the elections. After two decades of conflict and political stability, Nepalis hope the alliance can deliver stable governance and economic development. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 10:18am, 29 Dec 2017Updated: 7:09pm, 29 Dec 2017

The sweeping victory of the Communist CPN-UML and Maoist Party alliance in Nepal’s election this month has raised alarm bells. The primary concern in the international press seems to be that a communist government will allow China a greater role in a region India sees as its backyard.

There is speculation, mostly from Indian sources, that China has been pulling the levers behind the scenes to help the two major left parties come together. Western media have repeated the claim, with the alliance depicted as a pro-China force and Chinese activities held responsible for India’s diminishing influence in Nepal.

If India’s traditional dominance in Nepal has waned, it is more because of India’s reckless diplomacy. After India imposed an effective blockade against Nepal in 2015-16 for refusing to write a constitution on its terms, Nepal was cut off from fuel and essential supplies for more than five months. Nepal has since looked north for development and diplomatic balance.

It was geographic logic that geared Nepal towards the south but economic and geopolitical logic means it now also engages the north. There is now a consensus across the political spectrum on the need to end Nepal’s exclusive southern orientation and develop better trade and transport links with China.

This was reflected in the election. People voted for a party against the blockade, which promised stability and development and whose leader signed the landmark transit treaty with China as prime minister. They hope the alliance can deliver stable governance and economic development.

Can Chinese investment help Nepal’s new communist alliance make the break from India?

Ignoring these factors and crying wolf over Nepal’s “communist takeover” might feed India and the West’s shared paranoia on China, but will do little to repair India-Nepal ties. Indians should resist temptation to get involved in Nepal to undermine the communists and thwart China’s presence. Despite apprehensions about the new government, the electoral mandate is clear and should be respected. Efforts by an external power to break the coalition and play one domestic force against the other will be perceived as a hostile act by Nepalis and further erode goodwill.

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