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The US interest in Nepal: Deter China and Enhance “Western Orientation”

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Bidhur Dhakal Nepal is today a very valued partner in the Indo-Pacific. We’re working together to ensure that we have a free, open, secure, prosperous region”- Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken. It has been a major topic in Nepal for the past few years as a result of US pressure for Nepal to be a part of its security plan, known as the Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS). The US sought a “central role” from this extremely delicate and small Himalayan nation for the first time during the visit of then-foreign minister Pradeep Kumar Gyanwali to Washington, DC, as part of its “Indo-pacific strategy”—widely perceived as a counter to the ambitious Chinese connectivity project. Furthermore, China is described as a revisionist force and a threat in the United States’ June 1, 2019, Indo-Pacific Strategy Report, despite Nepal maintaining cordial ties with China. It also further states that the US is working to operationalize the major defense partnership with India while pursuing an emerging partnership with Nepal as well as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Maldives. In the report, the US clearly mentions that it seeks to expand its defense relationship with Nepal. The same report had added Nepal as its partner nation in the Indo-Pacific with the State Partnership Program (SPP). However, Nepal has not openly endorsed the US defense strategy amid countering China among the nations in the region of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Still, the US is trying to pull Nepal under its security umbrella. Yet, again the US is pursuing Nepal to be the partner of US IPS. On October 30, the US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, before meeting with Nepalese counterpart Narayan Prasad Saud called Nepal a “very valued” partner in the Indo-Pacific without mentioning “Strategy”. And stated that both countries are working together to ensure “a free, open, secure, prosperous region”. The US Raising Engagements its Interest Nepal’s geo-political sensitivity and situation have increased geopolitical engagements. On the north the rising power China is pursuing its ambitious connectivity projects of “Joint Belt and Road” with “Shared Future”, while, in the South, India is pursuing its security alliances with the US and expanding its interest in the region. Nepal between the two giants is strategically important for both. Soon after Nepal and China signed the MoU on Cooperation under the BRI Framework, in Kathmandu (March 2017), the US and Nepal signed 500 million dolor MCC in Washington (September 2017). Despite rumors and agitation, Nepal’s parliament ratified the MCC accord. Over the years, the engagement has grown even more noticeable both before and after the ratification. The rise in US diplomatic visits to Nepal is evidence of the US’s increasing involvement in the country. Deputy Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland, USAID Chief Samantha Power, Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Afreen Akhter, MCC Chief Executive Officer Alice Albright, and US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu are among the diplomats dispatched from the US. Although the US was the second country to establish diplomatic ties with Nepal, high-level interaction has been uncommon and has become even more so since the end of the Cold War. Since Nepalese officials had not made a state visit of such a high caliber before, King Birendra paid a state visit to the United States in 1983. The Nepali PM would travel to New York for the UNGA and have a brief meeting with the US president for picture opportunities. Following a 17-year break, the then-foreign minister Gyawali and his US colleague Michael Richard Pompeo met bilaterally at a time when Nepal was deepening its diplomatic ties with China. After the end of 2018, and today, the US has sent its officials to Nepal on a regular basis. After 5 years, again at the Thomas Jefferson Room of the State Department in Washington D.C. Blinken welcomed Saud. In 2022 May, Nepal, and the US signed a new development agreement for five years of grants, amounting to $659 million. Nepal had received $42.8 million through the US Department of Defense. The foreign military financing program was the main program prioritized by the US aid in Nepal during the period. Nepal received a 16.93 million FMF program in 2021, third in the top activities. With 17.86 million, DOD was third in assistance partner and Conflict, Peace, and Security was third sector of priority with USD 17.82 million. In 2020, U.S. cooperation in the military sector was low. In that year, Nepal received 124 million dollars in aid, of which only 1 percent of military assistance was available. In 2019, an obligation of assistance was $174.2 million. Only 0.5 percent was military assistance. At that time, $1 million was spent on military education and training. Concerns have been raised recently over Beijing’s increasing sway on Nepal, especially when it comes to investment and infrastructure development. This has given rise to some conjecture over Nepal’s potential future alignment with China, India, and other Indo-Pacific nations. According to this data, the US military is progressively providing more support to Nepal in an effort to keep China in check in the area. The US Aids Interest in Nepal Yesterday and Today US assistance to South Asia has traditionally been targeted against communist ideology. It was directed against the influence of the Soviet Union during the Cold War and currently against China. South Asian states have long been seen by the US as communist-prone. The US was interested in Nepal because of its close proximity to China during the Cold War and the Soviet Union’s significant influence there. Enhancing Nepal’s “western orientation” and controlling the potential “threat of communism” were the main goals of US aid in that country. The United States of America has always maintained Nepal inside its security zone and offered military support. In 1964–1965, the US contributed 1.8 million military personnel, according to a 1973 House of Representatives speech by James H. Noyes, Deputy Secretary of Defense Assistance. The US was Nepal’s biggest donor until 1965. During the height of the Cold

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जनता- मनोरञ्जन केन्द्र होइन अस्पताल उद्घाटन गर्नुपर्थ्यो सरकार !, सरकार- त्यो पर्दैन् !

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‘…त्यो पर्दैन.. हिहि..’ राष्ट्रपति भवन शीतल निवास नजिकै रहेका अस्पतालमा कोभिड-१९ संक्रमितका बिरामी अक्सिजन नपाएर छट्पटाइरहेका छन्। अर्कोतर्फ शुक्रबार त्यही शीतल निवासमा प्रधानमन्त्रीको रुपमा फेरि एकपटक केपी शर्मा ओलीले पद तथा गोपनीयताको शपथ लिँदै थिए -‘देश र जनताका नाम’मा। तर, देश र जनताको नाममा प्रतिज्ञा गर्न नपर्ने ओलीको उन्मादलाई राष्ट्रपति भण्डारीले ‘हिहि’ मै टारिन र अगाडि बढिन्। हेर्दा/सुन्दा सामान्य लाग्ला तर, तर मर्यादाका हिसाबले राष्ट्रपतिलाई दिएको जवाफ प्रधानमन्त्रीको असामान्य थियो। अमर्यादित पनि। राष्ट्र प्रमुख र सरकार प्रमुखको यो दृश्य एकातिर पञ्छाएर राखौँ। उपत्यकाका अस्पतालहरुमा पुगौँ। बेड नपाएर, बेड पाएर पनि अक्सिजन नपाएर बिरामी छट्पटाइरहेका छन्। यो छट्पटाहट न बालुवाटारले सुनिरहेको छ न त शीतल निवासले नै। प्रधानमन्त्रीको शपथ लिएपछिको ओलीले देशकै ठूलो सिटी हलको उद्घाटन गरे। अझै एकाध काम बाँकी रहेको हलको उद्घाटन गर्दै प्रधानमन्त्रीले अस्पतालमा छट्पटाई रहेका बिरामी र बिरामी कुरुवालाई देशको अहिलेको अवस्थाप्रति जिम्मेवार ठहर्‍याउने काम गरे- मानौँ बिरामीहरु रहरले अस्पताल पुगेका छन् र अस्पतालको कृतिम अभाव सिर्जना गरिरहेका छन्। ‘हामीसँग बेडको अभाव छैन, सुविधा सम्पन्न अस्पताल जाने चाहने देखिन्छ, अक्सिजनसहितका बेड, अन्य उपकरणसहितका बेड, चिकित्सकसहितको बेडको प्रबन्ध गर्ने तयारी गरेका छौँ, देशभित्रका प्लान्टलाई पूर्ण क्षमतामा सञ्‍चालन गर्ने प्रयास गरिएको छ। हाम्रा सरोकारवाला सम्बन्धित निकाय, संघ-संस्था अझ प्रभावकारी कदम तीव्रताका साथ उपचारका लागि आवश्यक पर्ने उपकरण कमी हुन नदिनेगरी तयारी गरेका छौँ,’ प्रधानमन्त्री ओलीले भनेका थिए। तर, उनले वस्तुगत अवस्थाबारे भने बुझ्ने चेस्टा गरेनन्। उपत्यकाका ठूला र सुविधासम्पन्न अस्पताल मात्र होइनन् देशका कुना कन्दराका अस्पताल पनि यतिबेला ‘फूल अकुपेन्सी’मा चलिरहेका छन्। अक्सिजन अभाव भयो भनेर सरकारी अस्पतालहरुले नै बिरामी भर्ना लिन नसक्ने सूचना जारी गर्न थालेका छन्। पाँच मिनेट अक्सिजनको सप्लाई बन्द हुँदा लुम्बिनी प्रदेशको मुकाम रहेको बुटवल र भैरहवाका सरकारी अस्पतालमा बिरामीको मृत्यु भएको दु:खद् तथ्य अस्पतालकै जिम्मेवार व्यक्तिले भनिसकेका छन्। के मानिस रहरले अक्सिजन लगाउन अस्पताल पुगेका थिए र मृत्युवरण गरे? केन्द्र सरकारको बचाउमा लुम्बिनी प्रदेशका मुख्यमन्त्री शंकर पोखरेल हरेक दिनजस्तो फेसबुकमा स्टाटस् लेखिरहेका छन्। मानौँ उनको प्रदेशमा केही भएको छैन। उनकै कार्यालयभन्दा बाटा पारी रहेको अस्पतालमा अक्सिजन अभावमा मानिसहरुको मृत्यु भइरहेको छ। तर उनी भने केन्द्रको राजनीतिमा बधाई साटिरहेका छन्। र, छिमेकको अस्पतालबाट निस्किने रोदनमा समवेदनाका एउटा शब्द निकाल्न सकिरहेका छैनन। बिरामी एम्बुलेन्स नपाएर ट्याक्टरमा अस्पताल जानुपर्ने बाध्यता छ। सरकारी नम्बर प्लेटका गाडी झण्डा फहराउँदै सडकमा हुइँकिरहेका छन्। मन्त्री हेलिकोप्टर चढेर उम्मेदवारी दर्ताका लागि लाखौँ खर्च गर्छन्। हेलिकोप्टरको भाडा कसले तिर्‍यो? थाहा भएन्। पक्कै पनि तिनै एम्बुलेन्स नपाएर ट्याक्टरमा अस्पताल जाँदा जाँदै बाटैमा मृत्युवरण गरेका नागरिकको करबाटै होला। तर, सत्ता उन्मादमा रहेको बालुवाटारले भनिरहेको छ, अस्पतालको अभाव छैन- ‘सिच्वेसन इज अन्डर कन्ट्रोल।’ प्रश्न गर्न पाइन्न यहाँ सरकारसँग। प्रश्न गर्‍यो कि कोभिड-१९ छाडिदिनुस्, प्रधामन्त्रीले जन्डिसका रोगी बनाइदिन्छन्। पूर्णरुपमा निर्माण सम्पन्न भएको छैन धरहराको। प्रधानमन्त्रीले २७ गते प्रतिनिधिसभाको बैठकमा गरेको सम्बोधनबाटै स्पष्ट हुन्छ। धरहराका अझ दुई खण्डको काम बाँकी नै छ। दोस्रो लहर उर्लन थाल्दा भीड जम्मा गरेर प्रधानमन्त्री उद्घाटन गर्न जान्छन्। आलोचना गर्दा धरहराको भ्रमण गर्न निम्ता दिन्छन्। प्रधानमन्त्रीज्यू धरहरा एक वर्षपछि पनि चढ्न सकिन्छ। बस यतिवेला अस्पतालमा बेड दिनुस्। अक्सिजन दिनुस्। बाँचिएछ भने सपरिवार धरहरा चढ्न आउने छौँ। धरहराको टुप्पोबाट बालुवाटारको कौसीलाई इंगित गर्दै धन्यवाद दिउँला। तपाईँले शनिबार मात्र उद्घाटन गरेको सिटी हलको विरोध होइन प्रधानमन्त्रीज्यू, म चाहन्थेँ तेस्रोपटक प्रधानमन्त्रीको रुपमा शीतल निवासबाट शपथ लिएर सिंहदरबार पुग्दै गर्दा तपाईँले एकैपटक शिलान्यास गरेका अस्पतालहरुको उद्घाटन हुनेछ। अँह! यो अपेक्षा राख्यो कि त म तपाईँको विरोधी कित्तामा पुग्ने छु। कोभिड-१९ को पहिलो र दोस्रो लहरबीच काम देखाउन उद्घाटन गरेका लिस्टमा एउटा संरचना सुदूरका जनताले उपचार पाउने अस्पताल पनि भएको भए कति राम्रो हुन्थ्यो। तपाईँलाई कमिशनको आरोप लगाउनेहरुमा जन्डिस देख्नुहुन्छ। ठिकै छ। कमिसन खानुभएको छैन होला तर, यसबीच कोभिड-१९ संक्रमण नियन्त्रण गर्न नियमित बाहेकको ‘एक्ट्रा’काम कति गर्नुभयो? ठूला ठेकेदारहरुसँग हिमचिम त कति छ तपाईँको पार्टीको फुट जोगाउनका लागि ठेकेदार र धनाढ्यको घरमा भान्सा लाउनुहुन्छ। के ती भान्सामा कोभिड-१९ संक्रमण नियन्त्रणका विषयमा छलफल भए त? छातीमा हात राखेर भन्नुस् त- बालुवाटारमा पार्टीका बैठक दैनिक हुँदा कोभिड-१९ संक्रमण नियन्त्रणका लागि कतिवटा बैठक भए? म चाहन्थेँ बालुवाटारमा हरेक दिन जसो प्रधानमन्त्री गहन रुपमा स्वास्थ्य विज्ञहरुसँग संक्रमण नियन्त्रणाका विषयमा चासोका साथ छलफल गर्नुहोस्। तर, हरेक दिन पार्टीका बैठक आयोजना गर्ने सरकारी निवासमा सरकारकै आदेश उल्लंघन भयो। स्वास्थ्य क्षेत्रका विज्ञलाई स्वास्थ्यको अवस्थाको बारेमा जानकारी राम्रोसँग थाहा हुन्छ। हरेक जस्तो सरकारका स्वास्थ्य सल्लाहकार छन्। नभएका देशमा अहिले कोभिड-१९ को संक्रमणका बेला सल्लाहकार बोर्ड गठन गरेका छन्। तर, तपाईँका निजी चिकित्सक छन्। अरु देशमा हरेक दिन स्वास्थ्य क्षेत्रका विज्ञले हरेक दिन अवस्थाका बारेमा जानकारी गराउँदै भोलिका बारेमा सचेत गराउँछन्। नेपालमा त्यही एउटा स्वास्थ्य मन्त्रालय छ- हरेक दिन नम्बर दिन्छ। भोलि यस्तो हुन सक्छ भन्दै एउटा आग्रह गर्छ। तपाईँकै नेतृत्वको सरकारको अर्को मन्त्रालयले टेर्दैन। अनुसन्धान कति भए सरकारको लगानीमा? चिकित्सकले अनुसन्धान गरी रिपोर्ट प्रकाशित गर्दा उल्टै स्पष्टीकरण सोध्ने काम भएको छ। कोभिड-१९ संकट व्यवस्थापन केन्द्र (सीसीएमसी) त बनेको छ। त्यहाँ स्वास्थ्य क्षेत्रका विज्ञको नेतृत्व हुनुपर्ने खोई भएको? उपप्रधानमन्त्रीको नेतृत्व छ। मानौँ उनी सीसीएमसी मन्त्री हुन्। उनको इच्छाले भए हुन्छ नत्र हुँदैन्। विज्ञलाई तल राखेर अनविज्ञको नेतृत्वमा काम कसरी हुन्छ। सरकार त छँदै छ। नीति, योजना, कार्यक्रम विज्ञको नेतृत्वमा रहेको सीसीएमसीले तय गरोस् सरकारले पारित गरोस्। हुन त प्रधानमन्त्रीको गोजीभित्रका कोही अली विज्ञको ट्याग लागेका कोही हुन्थे भने नियुक्त भइसक्ने थिए होलान्। गोजीभित्रका विज्ञ फेला नपरेपछि नेतृत्व आफ्ना विश्वास पात्रलाई दिइएको होला। घरमै संक्रमित, निकम्मा सरकार प्रधानमन्त्री ओलीकै दाबीलाई एकातिर छ। तर, संक्रमित अस्पतालभन्दा घरमा धेरै छन्। रहरले होइन बाध्यताले। राम्रो अस्पतालको खोजीमा अस्पताल गएर भीड भयो भन्ने तर्क प्रधानमन्त्री छ। तर, शनिबारको स्वास्थ्य मन्त्रालयको तथ्यांक हेर्नुस्। देशभर एक लाख ९ हजार ७४० सक्रिय संक्रमितमध्ये सरकारले बनाएका संस्थागत आइसोलेसन र अस्पतालमा मात्र करिब ८ प्रतिशत संक्रमित रहेका छन्। बाँकी सबै होम आइसोलेसनमै छन्। अहिले देखिएको संक्रमण अघिल्लो वेभको तुलनामा गम्भीर खालको र अस्पताल भर्ना हुने दर बढी हुने र अस्पताल भर्ना हुनेमध्ये अक्सिजन चढाउनुपर्ने दर पनि बढी हुने भन्दै चिकित्सकहरुले सुरुदेखि सरकारलाई चेतावनी दिँदै आएका थिए। तर, सरकारले त्यसतर्फ पूर्व तयारी नगरी गफ गरेर बस्यो। अहिले अस्पताल भरिँदा संक्रमितलाई दोष दिएर उम्किन मिल्छ? सक्रिय संक्रमितको झण्डै ५० प्रतिशत वाग्मती प्रदेशमा छन्। जसको पाँच प्रतिशतमात्र अस्पताल तथा संस्थागत आइसोलेसनमा छन्। अघिल्लो वर्षदेखि नै संघ, प्रदेश र स्थानीय सरकारले संस्थागत आइसोलेसन बनाउने भन्दै आए। तर, बन्न सकेनन्। गत वर्ष भदौमा काठमाडौं महानगरले पाँच हजार क्षमताको एकीकृत आइसोलेसन बनाउने घोषणा गरे। तर, अहिलेसम्म बन्न सकेन्। केही स्थानीय तहको सक्रियतामा संस्थागत आइसोलेसन बने पनि संघ, प्रदेश र स्थानीय तहले एकीकृत आइसोलेसन बनाउन असफल भए र घरमै कोभिड-१९ संक्रमित बसे। घरदेखि

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काठमाडौं : शनिवारमात्र अमेरिकी सञ्चार माध्यममा नेपालमा कोभिड-१९ नियन्त्रणमा रहेको दाबी गरेका प्रधानमन्त्री केपी शर्मा ओलीले त्यसको दुई दिनपछि बेलायती पत्रिकामा लेख प्रकाशित गर्दै कोभिड-१९ को अवस्था भयावह भएको भन्दै सहयोगको अपिल गरेका छन्। शनिवार मात्र उनले सीएनएनसँगको कुराकानीमा नेपालमा कोभिड-१९ नियन्त्रणमा रहेको बताएका थिए। सिएनएनका पत्रकारले हाल परीक्षणको ४४ प्रतिशत परीक्षण पोजेटिभ आएको र गत महिना दैनिक १०० को हाराहारीमा रहेको कोभिड संक्रमण दिनकै ९ हजार पुगेको भन्दै प्रधानमन्त्रीसँग किन? भन्दै प्रश्न गरेका थिए। प्रधानमन्त्री ओलीले जनतामा लापारवाही बढेको र सोही कारण संक्रमण फैलिएको दाबी गर्दै सेकेन्ड वेभमा लगेको बताए। त्यस्तै पत्रकारले अघिल्ला महिनामा चाडपर्व मनाइएको र ठूला भेलाहरु पनि कारण हुन? भनेर सोध्दा नेपालको राजनीतिक अस्थिरताका कारण विपक्षी दलहरुले सभा गर्दा संक्रमण फैलिन मद्दत पुगेको दाबी गरे। उनले राजनीतिक दलहरुले लापारवाही गरेको दाबी गर्दा आफैले गरेका सभाहरुलाई उल्लेख गरेनन्। त्यसको दुई दिनपछि ओलीले बेलायती अखवार दी गार्डेइनमा लेख प्रकाशित गर्दै जी ७ को अध्यक्षसमेत रहेको बेलायतसँग जरुरी सहयोग गर्न अनुरोध गरेका छन्। ‘मैले यो लेख्दै गर्दा मेरो देश कोभिड -१९ पाण्डेमिकको नयाँ र क्रुर उछालसँग लडिरहेको छ। संक्रामकको संख्या बढ्दै जाँदा हाम्रा साहसी डाक्टर, नर्स, अन्य सुसार प्रधान गर्नेहरु, नागरिक स्वंमसेवकहरु र सम्पूर्ण स्वास्थ्य प्रणालीमा नै गम्भिर चुनौती थपेको छ,’ गार्डेइनको अनलाइन संस्करणमा प्रकाशित उनको लेखमा भनिएको छ। उनले संक्रमितहरुलाई अस्पतालमा शय्या उपलब्ध गराउन नसक्ने अवस्था आएकोसमेत लेखेका छन्। त्यतिमात्र होइन उनले संक्रमणको उचाई चुमिरहेको बताएका छन्। ‘तीन करोड जनसंख्या भएको देशमा दैनिक ८ हजारको हाराहारीमा संक्रमण पुष्टि हुनु केही उच्च हो। यति हुँदाहुँदै मृत्युदरलाई तल राख्न सकेका छौँ,’ उनले भनेका छन्। लेखमा आफ्नो सरकारले कोभिड-१९ को संक्रमण नियन्त्रणमा सक्दो प्रयास गरेको दाबीसमेत गरेका छन्। साथै उनले अस्पतालहरुमा अक्सिजन लगायतका सामाग्रीको सुनिश्चितताका लागि सक्दो प्रयास गरेको दाबी गरेका छन्। यति हुँदा हुँदै पनि स्रोत र पूर्वाधारहरुको अभावका कारण महामारीको भारी बोझको रुपमा परिणत हुँदै गएको उनले बताएका छन्। ‘त्यसैले मैले अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय समुदायसँग जीवन जोगाउने हाम्रो प्रयासमा हामीलाई भ्याक्सिन्, डायग्नोस्टिक किट, अक्सिजन किट, महत्त्वपूर्ण हेरचाहका औषधी तथा सामाग्रीहरु सहयोग गर्न अपिल गरेको छु,’ उनले लेखेका छन्, ‘हाम्रो जरुरी आवश्यकता भनेको जोगाउन सकिने मृत्युलाई रोक्नु हो।’ उनले यस कठिन घडीमा बेलायतसँग आफ्नो अपेक्षा उच्च रहेकोसमेत बताएका छन्। उनले यो पाण्डेमिकले धनी र गरिब देशहरुको बीचमा रहेको विशाल खाडीलाई फेरी पनि दर्शाएको बताउँदै यो खाडललाई सबैलाई खोप तथा स्वास्थ्य सामाग्री उपलब्ध गराएर पुर्नुपर्ने बताएका छन्। जी ७ को अध्यक्ष रहेको बेलायतले नेपालका लागि अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय सहयोग जुटाउन महत्त्वपूर्ण भूमिका खेल्न सक्ने बताएका छन्। ‘हाम्रा शेर्पाहरु उच्च उचाईमा संघर्ष गरिरहेका आरोहीहरुसँग अक्सिजन सेयर गरेर चिनिएका छन्। आज, कोभिड-१९ ले हाम्रो देशलाई श्वासबिहिन बनाइरहेको छ। त्यसैले हामी अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय समुदायका शेर्पाहरुको खोजी गरिरहेका छौँ। हिमाल आरोहीहरुका,’ उनले लेखको अन्तिममा लेखेका छन्, ‘हामी हाम्रा विश्वभरी रहेका साथीहरुसँग हामीलाई तत्काल अत्यावश्यक स्वास्थ्य सामाग्री, जीवन जोगाउने औषधीहरु, खोप सहयोग गर्न याचना गरेका छौँ। यी दुई साझा चुनौतीहरु- जलवायु परिवर्तन र पाण्डेमिकका लागि एक मात्र विकल्प भनेको ऐक्यवद्धता हो। एक मात्र वाटो भनेको एक भएर लड्नु हो विश्वव्यापी परिवारको रुपमा।’ नेपालको कुटनीति: मोही माग्ने ढुंग्रो लुकाउने! कोभिड-१९ संक्रमण उच्च रहँदा नेपालमा परीक्षणको दायरा साँघुरो छ। परीक्षण गरिएकामध्ये हाल दैनिक औषतमा ४० प्रतिशत बढीमा संक्रमण पुष्टि भइरहेको छ। सोमवारको तथ्यांक हेर्दा कुल परीक्षणमध्ये ५०.३५ प्रतिशतमा संक्रमण पुष्टि भएको छ। हाल नेपालमा दैनिक सरदरमा एक हजार मानिसमा ०.५ जनाको मात्र परीक्षण भइरहेको छ। त्यही भारतमा प्रति एक हजार सरदरमा १.२७ जनाको परीक्षण भइरहेको छ। आवर वर्ल्ड इन डाटाको तथ्यांकअनुसार नेपालमा दैनिक नेपालमा प्रति १० लाख २७९.४५ जनामा संक्रमण पुष्टि भएको छ। त्यहीँ भारतमा २८३.५० जनामा संक्रमण पुष्टि भएको छ। हालसम्मको तथ्यांकअनुसार नेपालमा कुल संक्रमित प्रति १० लाख २ हजार १२ भन्दा बढी छ। त्यही भारतमा एक हजार ९८३ छ। परीक्षणदर कम हुँदा पनि नेपालमा भारतमा भन्दा वृद्धिदर बढी छ। सात दिन अगाडिभन्दा अहिले नेपालमा संक्रमण पुष्टिदर ६३.३ प्रतिशतले बढी हुँदा भारतमा ४.८ प्रतिशतले बढी छ। ठूलो जनसंख्या र क्षेत्रफल भएको भारतमा संक्रमितको संख्या बढी भए पनि जनसंख्या र क्षेत्रफललाई हेर्दा हामी भारतको महामारीको संक्रमण दर भन्दा तल छैनौँ। धेरै कुरामा बढी नै छौँ। तर, भारतमा अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय सहयोगको प्रस्ताव बढिरहँदा नेपालमा सहयोग किन कम छ? अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय समुदायले किन नेपाललाई सहयोगको हात बढाउन अन्कनाइरहेका छन्? प्रश्न सरकारमा अडिएको छ। परराष्ट्र मन्त्रालयका एक अधिकारी भन्छन्- ‘हामी मोही माग्छौँ ढुंग्रो लुकाउँछौँ। अनी कसरी आउँछ सहयोग? सहयोग गर्छु भनेकासँग त सहयोग लिन अनेक बहाना बनाइन्छ।’ यसको उदाहरण अघिल्लो कोभिड लहरमा चीनले स्वास्थ्य सामाग्री तथा औषधीहरु अनुदान दिने भनिएको रकमबाटै पठाउँछौँ भनेर प्रस्ताव गर्दा नेपालले नमानेर खरिद गरेको थियो। त्यही खरिद प्रक्रियामा भ्रष्टाचार भएको भन्दै सरकारको आलोचना भइरहेको छ। संसदीय समितिले भ्रष्टाचार भएको निचोडसमेत निकालेको छ। ‘अहिले हामीले सहयोग माग्ने बेला हो। अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय समुदायसँग अपिल गर्ने बेला हो,’ ती अधिकारीले भने, ‘देशको संक्रमणको अवस्था, हाम्रो क्षमतालाई तथ्यगत रुपमा स्पष्ट अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय समुदायसँग भन्ने हो। यस्तो बेला तथ्य लुकाएर हुँदैन्। हाम्रो स्वास्थ्य प्रणालीले नभ्याउँदा भारतमा दैनिक चार लाख बढी छ। हाम्रोमा जम्म ९ हजार भनेर बस्ने होइन। भारतको जनसंख्या एक अर्ब तीस करोड हो हाम्रो जनसंख्या जम्मा तीन करोड यो अनुपात पनि अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय समुदायलाई देखाउने बेला हामी ९ हजार देखाएर नियन्त्रणमा छ भन्छौँ भने सहयोग कसरी आउँछ?’ छिमेकी देश भारतलाई सघाउन अहिले हरेक दिनजसो ठूला देशहरुले कैयौं उडानमार्फत् स्वास्थ्य सामाग्री पठाइरहेका छन्। तर, नेपाल भने विदेशीले सहयोग गरेको सामाग्री कुन जहाजबाट लिएर आउने भन्ने अल्मलिन्छ। अमेरिकाले भारतलाई खोप उत्पादनको लागि आवश्यक कच्चा पदार्थ र अन्य स्वास्थ्य उपकरण सहयोग गरेको छ। बेलायतबाट स्वास्थ्य उपकरण भारत पुगिसकेको छ। ईयुले पनि सहयोग गर्ने निर्णय गर्दा क्यानाडाले एक करोडको सहयोग घोषणा गरेको छ। पाकिस्तानले समेत भारतलाई सहयोग गर्ने प्रस्ताव राखिसकेको छ। दोस्रो लहर सुरु भए पछि चीनले सहयोग गरेको र राष्ट्रसंघले पनि भारतलाई सहयोग गर्ने प्रस्ताव गरेपनि भारतले स्वीकार गरेको छैन । झण्डै उस्तै नियति भोगेको नेपालमा भने अहिलेसम्म चीनले दिने २० हजार अक्सिजन सिलिण्डर र अमेरिकाले मेमा १ मा घोषणा गरेको ८५ लाख डलरबाहेकको सहयोग नेपालमा आएको छैन। चीनले दिने भनेको २० हजार अक्सिजन सिलिण्डर मध्ये चार सय मात्र मंगलवार नेपाल आइपुग्दै छ। एक साताभन्दा बढी कुन जहाजमा ल्याउने भन्नेमै नेपाल सरकार अलमलमा देखियो। तर, कुटनीतिक रुपमा सरकारले सहयोगका लागि पहल गर्न सकेको छैन। अन्य देशले आफै चाहेर आएका सहयोगबाहेक नेपालले पहल गर्न सकेको छैन। ‘प्रधानमन्त्रीज्यूले अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय मिडियामा अन्तर्वार्ता दिँदा एउटा अवसर थियो। तर, उहाँ नियन्त्रणमा छ भन्नुहुन्छ अनी सहयोग पनि माग्नुहुन्छ,’ परराष्ट्रका ती अधिकारीले भने, ‘नियन्त्रणमा छ भन्नेलाई किन दिन्छन्? पहिलो प्राथमिकता भनेको जहाँ नियन्त्रणमा छैन त्यहाँ दिन्छ नी।’ प्रधानमन्त्रीले मिडियामा आफ्ना धारणा राख्दै गर्दा कुटनीतिक रुपमा पनि पहल गर्नुपर्छ। तर, त्यसतर्फ सरकार

अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय मिडियामा प्रधानमन्त्री : फितलो क्राइसिस डिप्लोमेसी, मोही माग्ने ढुंग्रो लुकाउने चाल! Read More »

China-India Skirmishes: Hidden Warfare Of India Using Tibetan And Nepali Personal

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Dhakal Bidhur In the wake of the escalating Indo-China border dispute, India has started mobilizing the Tibetan community along the border. The Special Frontier Force (SFF) has been deployed along the Tibetan community in India. The force, which has been operating as a covert, has come out openly this time. After rising tensions between India and China over the past five months, the Indian Army had announced it had ‘thwarted Chinese intentions to alter the ground situation’. The announcement has silently opened the involvement of SFF, in the operation south of Pangong Tso. With the involvement of the SFF, known as the Development Regiment and directly under the Director General of the Indian intelligence agency ‘RAW’, its role is also emerging. Not only that, the covert force this time has come into the ground. In the second week of September, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ram Madhav attended the funeral of SFF personal Nyima Tenzin. The 2020 China-India Skirmishes, ongoing military standoff; both the troops have engaged in aggressive moves in Sino-Indian Border including near the disputed Pangong Lake in Ladakh and Tibet Autonomous Region. Started from May this year; Chinese forces agitated to the construction of road in Galwan River Valley by Indian side. In June 15, deadly clashes between two forces resulted the death of 20 Indian soldiers. In July 25, emerges of disengagement at Galwan, Hot Spring and Gogra. Indian Army deployed more forces to the area. Though the talk between Beijing and Delhi in Moscow conclude with 5 points agreement stating that both side shall abide by all the existing agreements and protocol on China-India boundary affairs, maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas and avoid any action that could escalate matters. But still the tension is still escalating. At the end of August, fired opened between once. In the operation of August 29-31, the involvement of SFF has been reported. India has occupied previously unoccupied heights in Chushul sector in eastern Ladakh. Indian Army has so far maintained an official silent, but the death of SFF’s Nyima has opened the secrets of SFF involvement. However, Yeshi Tenzin, father of injured SFF’s personal Tenzin Londen has told the Indian Express that his son along with his unit was involved in an operation to occupy a hill, Black top, near the south bank of Pangong Tso. This is the first time the SFF, a secretive force, has been in public eye. Although the Indian Army has not officially commented on the deaths, the presence of BJP leaders and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s close aid Ram Madhav in the funeral of Nyima has exposed the SFF’s presence in the Indo-China dispute. It is said that Nyima had caught on a landmine in rested from 1962. After his death, huge crowd in present BJP leader had paid the honor to Nyima in Leh, Ladakh, Chanting slogans of Bharat Mata Ki Jai, Tibet Zindabad, Vikas Regiment Zindabad shows that SFF involvements in 2020 India-China Skirmishes. The rally played a role in stirring up anti-China sentiment by influencing the Tibetan community. Ram Madhav had reached Leh for the same purpose. Earlier, no such farewell was said in the death of any SFF soldiers, nor was the general public aware of the SFF’s presence. Why was it brought out this time? Amid the border tensions, India sends strong message to China by giving fallen Tibetan soldier full military honors. SFF men have been told to fight for Tibet rather than for India. ‘Until now we were anonymous soldiers. But now people know us. We are proud that he sacrificed his life for his motherland, Tibet,’ the Indian media quoted a soldier as saying. The incident has sent a clear message to Beijing from Delhi it will not stop playing ‘Tibet Card’. The image of Nyima’s coffin, which is covered by Indian flag and snow lion flag which is adopted by the Tibetan refugee community, is going viral on social media among the Tibetan community. Using the Tibetan community against China, India has called on it to fight its ‘real enemy’ (China). Until now, India had not openly deployed the SFF on the front line against China. What is SFF? The Special Frontier Force (SFF), which is made up of the Tibetan community, is stationed at the border. The Indian Special Forces, formed after the Sino-Indian war on November 14, 1962, had initially been conducting covert operations on the Indo-China border. Now the force has a mixture of Tibetan and Gorkhas, (i.e. Nepali) Since then, the force has been involved in the Indo-Pak war and the Bangladesh independent War. The SFF, which has been a part of Operation Blue Star, Kargil war, also had acted as Indira Gandhi’s personal force after the state of emergency. Headquartered in Uttarakhand, the force is not the part of Indian Army but function under its operational control. It was initially placed under the Intelligence Bureau of India (IB). Later, India’s external intelligence mechanism was placed under the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). However, it has its own status and organizational structure and training structure. It is directly under the Directorate General of Security Affairs of the Cabinet. Force is led by the Inspector General (IG) who is selected from the Major General level of the Indian Army who reports directly to the Prime Minister’s Office. Initially made up of Tibetan refugees, the development battalion later became the Special Frontier Force. The organization was formed with 5,000 youths from the Khampa community in exile in India along with the Dalai Lama from Tibet. For that, the Indians had recruited the youth from the guerrilla group fighting with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) also helped form the group. The SFF had shut down most of its operations in China, in line with Deng Xiaoping’s open economy policy. Since then, the SFF has fought the Indo-Pakistani war with the Indian Army. The SFF had fought a war against Pakistan in favor of Bangladesh in the Bangladesh Independence Campaign. Along with Tibetans,

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‘Himalayan Quad’: Western Skeptical On ‘Tran-Himalayan Cooperation’

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Dhakal Bidhur Globe is fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic. The global powers are fighting themselves for geopolitical supremacy. Nepal’s geopolitical position in South Asia is considered strategically important to all. Two neighbors, China and India, want to keep Nepal aside from them. Meanwhile, for the United States, Nepal has been geography of strategic importance for South Asia. At this time, the Himalayan nation Nepal has been facing a clash between the three power Nations. Nepal, a partner of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRE) proposed by China; is working together and separately with its three friendly nations in various multilateral fora. The US is been working hard to get Nepal, a member of the BRI, to participate in its Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS)- a defense policy. On the other hand, the US is in a way toward investment publicly in Nepal through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). ‘The controversial’ MCC is yet to be passed from the parliament. Together with the IPS, the US has initiated a Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) involving Japan, Australia, and India to counter Chinese influence in the region. In particular, the first virtual conference of heads of state/government was held in March this year, 14 years after the forum was first initiated by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue. Interest of each and concern at the conference was China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region; and on the other hand, China’s support in the fight against COVID-19 in this area. At the same conference,US President Joe Biden announced more than a billion vaccines would be distributed in the region by the end of 2022 to reduce Chinese influence. Besides this ‘Quad’, another ‘Quad’ is in term of discussion last months in Indian and western media- ‘Himalayan Quad’ by China with its strategic partner Nepal, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. What is the Himalayan Quad and How its Starts? On the 27th of July 2020, Foreign Ministers of Afghanistan, China, Nepal, and Pakistan held a video conference on COVID-19. In the meeting chaired by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Nepal, Pakistan, and Afghanistan foreign ministers were attended. The Western and Indian media describes it as China’s ‘COVID-19 Diplomacy’. In November 2020, Indian scholar Jagannath Panda in a Journal of Analysis and Information in issue China brief published by the Jamestown Foundation called it as Trans-Himalayan ‘Quad’, and lament toward China as ‘Beijing’s Territorialism’. Indicating this quadrilateral video conference between four nations, Panda offers a new hue on it. The quadrilateral meeting focused on the enhancing Quadrilateral Corporation to encounter the COVID-19 pandemic was roasted as the security alliance and connected toward the Quad as the US, India, Japan and Australia are practicing in the Indo-Pacific region as the ‘Nato’. On April 2021, Yuri M Yarmolinsky, an analyst with the Belarusian Institute for Strategic Research and former Consular of Embassy of the Republic of Belarus to the Republic of India, in an article published in ORF Raisina Debates, noted the meeting as China’s unilateral and expansionist action in the region linking toward the increasing activity of the Quad. As the United States expands its investment in the Asia-Pacific region, Northern neighbor China has also extended a helping hand to neighboring countries. On the quadrilateral meeting ministers of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nepal supported Wang Yi’s four-point cooperation initiative and thanked China for providing medical and food assistance, and for sharing experience on COVID-19 containment. In particular, the ministers highly commended President Xi Jinping’s initiative to make the vaccine a global public good. According to the FMPRC press release, these three nations will work with China in solidarity to deepen cooperation against COVID-19, strengthen joint response mechanisms, ensure unimpeded trade and transportation routes, facilitate personnel and trade flows, advance the “Silk Road of health”, and build a community with a shared future for mankind. Not only that FMPRC stated that these three nations will work with China to deepen Belt and Road cooperation, accelerate recovery in socio-economic and livelihood development, and promote post-COVID economic growth. This cooperation- Silk Road of Health, initiated by China is been called ‘Vaccine Diplomacy’ by Westerners. Yarmolinsky had added with SCMP this April that China already partners with Nepal, Pakistan, and Afghanistan on security and strategic cooperation. ‘Nepal is a strong foothold in the Himalayas in the context of the Sino-Indian territorial dispute, Afghanistan is a significant factor in ensuring security and maintaining stability in Xinjiang,’ he was quoted by SCMP. Beijing and Islamabad have been working on a US$62 billion connectivity and infrastructure project known as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor – part of Beijing’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative to grow a China-centered global trading network – and the two sides have also cooperated on tackling security challenges around their shared border. Nepal, meanwhile, receives foreign direct investment and economic aid from Beijing, which has also opened a training academy in the small Himalayan country for the paramilitary police force that guards its border with Tibet. The two nations’ armies have held counterterrorism drills together in the past, too. On a horizon, western media and experts tend to explain this cooperation as a security alliance as ‘Himalaya Quad’. In March, when the Quad leader meeting was held virtually, the Chinese and Russian Foreign ministry meet at Not only that, in March, the first meeting of the Quad was held and the Chinese and Russian foreign ministers hold the bilateral meeting in Guilin city in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China. The meeting shows the the unity against US and EU in the region. China and Russian have always followed the ‘four-point agreement on showing firm support from each other’, State Councilor Yi stated in that meeting. ‘We should uphold the universally recognized international law. China is willing to further strengthen cooperation with Russia under the multilateral frameworks, such as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and BRICS, jointly safeguard multilateralism, maintain the international system with the UN at its core and the international order based on international law, while firmly opposing unilateral sanctions as well as interference in other countries internal

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US Tibetan Policy: Possibilities Of Using Nepal’s Land Against China

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At present, there is debate of Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) in Nepal. Secondly the debate of US Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS) is reaching in peak. But, the US bill on Tibetan Policy and Support Act 2019 is in under the shadow which directly impact on Nepal-China relations. The policy targeting to the Tibet, an autonomous region of China has focused on Nepal to. This new law has shown signs of interference with Nepal’s ‘One China Policy’. However, there has been no discussion of a Tibetan bill passed by the United States in Nepal that has been embroiled in MCC controversy. In fact, in the political document presented in the second full meeting of the central committee of the ruling party of Nepal; Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) was stated that IPS had come in line with US strategy to surround China. Later It was corrected after the many of CCM agitate on the phrase. The document remains silent about the MCC and the bill. Meeting formed the task force under the leadership of senior leader JhalaNath Khanal to review the MCC. PrimeMinister Kp Sharma Oli, one of the Chair of the CPN is in position to pass the MCC from the parliament. This article is focused on the another factor affecting Nepal-China relations; US Tibetan Policy and Support Act 2019. What is the latest US law on Tibet? A law passed by the US parliament last month has closely monitored the human rights situation in Tibet. Also support the activities of ‘Dalai Lama’ and his followers. Not only that, it supported the separationist of the Tibet. The law is expected to put pressure on China to set up a US diplomatic center in Tibet. Under this legal foundation, the United States will now ban the new Chinese consulate in the United States until it establishes its diplomatic center in Tibet. However, China has commented that the US move would help those seeking independent Tibet. China has accused the US of questioning China’s sovereignty and geographical integrity. The law that is now passed will replace the ‘Tibetan Policy Act 2002’. US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has recently raised the issue of Tibet. “We are supporting the rights of religious freedom of Tibetan citizens,” she said during a vote in parliament last month, “The Tibetan Buddhist community has the right to elect its religious leader and future Dalai Lama.” The new law has added a provision for the President to provide financial support to NGOs in Tibet for the sustainable development of the Tibetan community, to preserve cultural and historicity as well as to protect health education and the environment. Likewise, the bill envisages a special coordinator to look into the Tibet issue. The aim of which is to make the selection of new Dalai Lama through a democratic way through dialogue between the Dalai Lama’s representative and the Chinese government. Nepal under the new law Nepal is also discussed in US laws regarding Tibet. The third section of the law deals with the selection of the successor of the Dalai Lama. In this section, Nepal and Bhutan, India, Mongolia, China, Russia and the United States have a Tibetan Buddhist community accusing China of interfering in the selection of a new Dalai Lama. It also included the statement given by the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman on March 29, 1919, that the selection of the successor of the living Buddha along with the new Dalai Lama should be in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations. In this section, explaining American policy, the participation of the Tibetan Buddhist community in the election of a new Dalai Lama is mentioned in a traditional way. According to the wish of the 14th Dalai Lama, there should be an election of the 15th Dalai Lama. The law stipulates that the Chinese government or any government’s activities that restrict Tibetan Buddhist activity will violate the basic religious freedom of the Tibetan people and Tibetan Buddhists. The United States may be banned from engaging in such activities. By which activities of the The fifth section of this law also mentions the democratic system of the exiled Tibetan community. Under which the Tibetan refugee community around the world should be given the right to elect a leader with the right to self-governance. In section 4 of it, referring to the Tibetan community seeking to preserve its culture, religion and language, the US State Department must deal with the Government of Nepal. “The Secretary of State should urge the Government of Nepal to honor the Gentleman’s Agreement with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and to provide legal documentation to long-staying Tibetan residents in Nepal who fled a credible threat of persecution in Tibet in order to allow them to more fully participate in the economy and society of Nepal. ‘ By this Act, it is authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 through 2025 for the Office of the United States Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues. Likewise, US will invest 1,250,000 $ on Name of Tibetan Scholarship Program each years on Nepal like nations. US will invest in Nepal on project of Humanitarian Assistance and Support to Tibetan Refugees in South Asia. It also amid to invest $8,000,000 for each year of the fiscal years 2021 through 2025 under to support activities which preserve cultural traditions and promote sustainable development, education, and environmental conservation in Tibetan communities in the Tibet Autonomous Region and in other Tibetan communities in China. Under the Assistance for Tibetans in India and Nepal, US will invest 6,000,000$ in name of promotion and preservation of Tibetan Culture and language Development. This investment is directly amid to development of future generation of Tibetan leaders. It will impact the relations between Nepal and China. The act has authorized to be appropriated $3,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 through 2025 for programs to strengthen the capacity of Tibetan institutions and strengthen democracy, governance, information and international outreach, and research. Not only

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US Indo-Pacific Strategy Aimed Containing China

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Dhakal Bidhur Nepal’s governing party Nepal Communist Party (NCP), after the unification of the CPN (UML) and CPN (Maoist Center) second central committee full conclude is on going in the capital Kathmandu. 20 month after the unification the political document introduced in the CC meeting adopt the strong views against the US Indo-Pacific Strategy stating that it is aimed at containing China’s rise in the global geopolitical circumstance. “The US has come up with a military strategy named Indo-Pacific Strategy to boost its influence and dominance in the Indo-Pacific region, to contain China’s rise as the world’s top economic power and to weaken it,” read the NCP’s political document presented by its co-chairpersons KP Sharma Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal in the party’s central committee on going meeting. China initiated Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been praised on the document of NCP who took over administration after the landslide victory on election held after the formulation of news constitution. The report mentions that today’s world economy will focus on Asia. “The Chinese economy and economic growth, accelerating to become the first of the world’s economic powers and growth of the Indian economy as a potential Asia-centric world power,” the document said, adding, “China’s BRI, Asian Infrastructure. Development Bank, BRICS between China, Russia, Brazil, South Africa and India shows the conscious initiation of cooperation strategy.” The BRI is described as the broad sharing strategy. Without naming the Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact in which Nepal has signed in 2017 and ready to introduce in the parliament document sates, “Nepal cannot accept any proposal of political or economic assistance if that is part of any military alliance.” “The BRI presented by China today is working as a comprehensive partnership strategy to expand its connectivity and financial support globally,” the document said, adding that Nepal has also signed a BRI and has made itself a partner in expanding that relationship and cooperation. NCP document shows the need to take positive initiatives for the development of an independent and self-reliant national economy while maintaining good neighborly relations with China and India. However, the document is silent MCC which has been under discussion in recent years, inside and outside the government and in the streets. Speaking at the inauguration of a meeting on the issue of MCC, which was opposed by senior leaders of the NCP, Prime Minister and one of the chairmen KP Sharma Oli said that the report did not mention anything about the military partnership. But in ongoing discussion on the document senior leaders of the party has opposed on the MCC compact and are demanding to introduce MCC in the document. Indo-Pacific Strategy is ongoing debate in Nepal since foreign minister Pradeep K. Gyanwali meet US state secretary Mike Pompeo in Washington. After the meeting deputy spokesperson of State department released the statement stating as the Nepal as member of the Indo-pacific Strategy. Although the statement is out from the department website but the tweet of the deputy spokesperson is in archive now. The defense department release the report in June 2019; stating Nepal as the new member of the strategy. After that leaders of the NCP have strong position against the Strategy. Although government has not release the diplomatic note against the report leaders of the NCP are demanding to oppose it. In 2017 Nepal signed the MCC compact with US of 500 million dollars. Now it is in debate that the US is entering to Nepal to stop China and BRI through the cooperation. The MCC, describes itself as an “independent U.S. foreign assistance agency that is helping lead the fight against global poverty.” But, many of US defense report state that the MCC as the defense strategy. Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for South Asia at the US Department of State David J Ranz on his Nepal visit himself has said that MCC is one of the most important initiatives being implemented in Nepal under the US Indo-Pacific Strategy. Now government and US embassy are giving clarification saying that the MCC is not the part of IPS. In this periphery of circumstance, small communist group outside the parliament are opposing the MCC. Right wing Nepali Congress the main opposition of the parliament strongly backs the MCC compact. There are at least three opinions inside the NCP. Party chair and Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali are in favor of endorsing MCC as soon as possible. But the standing committee member Bhim Rawal and Dev Gurung are strongly opposing the Compact. Whereas with next chair, Prachand other leaders are silent or in mid point. They are stating, the compact should be in favor of the national interest. Hiranyalal Shrestha a Veteran diplomat in short discussion with this author; worried about Nepal going on IPS. “Nepal should keep balance relation with its neighbor and other nation. We should not be the part of the any military cooperation of any nation targeting to our next neighbor,” former ambassador of Nepal to Russia and former leader of the NCP added, “Nepal should not be the card of any nation against our neighbor.” Shrestha argued that Nepali leaders should be aware of the US policy to stop China in the South Asia. “Nepal has principle of non-aligned we should maintain it,” he added. In Nepal, there is a conspiracy that opposition voice of US IPS and MCC is backed by the Beijing. In this circumstance Beijing has cleared that China never opposed the foreign aids in Nepal. In a press conference held on January 3, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi has said, “We welcome any international assistance to Nepal if it is for economic cooperation. We would like to see the ratification process of the MCC and the Nepal government takes a positive decision for its interest.” It is cleared that the Nepal used to throw the China card against the India and Indian cards against the China. Now the situation has been changed. China and India

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