Despite the recent bonhomie between Nepal and China, which conspicuously coincided with a rising of tension between Nepal and India, India will apparently continue to remain Nepal's most important neighbor. 

This overbearing reality is what seems to have prompted Nepalese Prime Minister P. Sharma Oli to initiate a week-long visit to India, which officially starts from Friday, Feb. 19.            

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Nepalese Prime Minister, while briefing the country's parliament, said that he "aims at removing recent differences between the two countries and strengthening the historic bilateral ties".       

The recent diplomatic tension between Nepal and India started when Nepal turned down India's wish to reform its constitution, which would have given more constitutional rights to the local "Madhesi" community.

In response to Nepal's rebuttal, India enforced a blockade on the India-Nepal border from September last year, causing severe fuel shortage and economic hardship in Nepal. The blockade was finally removed by India a few weeks ago. But not without straining the diplomatic relationship between the two countries.                 

How China capitalized on 'blockade fiasco'?                   

As India tired to pile up pressure on Nepal by imposing economic blockade on its border, Nepal decided to warm up to China - one of India's biggest economic and diplomatic rivals. Nepal sent its Deputy Prime Minister Kamal Thapa to China in December to arrange for fuel supply from Beijing.        

China, in response, was more than happy to fulfill the wishes of Kathmandu, as it was surely going to help Beijing revitalize its relationship with Nepal. Much to the dismay of the Indian government.

Nepal did not disappoint Beijing either. The country has signed transit treaty with China, which would give China trade access to many trading countries. Nepal also agreed to wave off visa fees for visiting Chinese tourists as well as take steps to further promote the Mandarin language in Nepalese schools.     

Many foreign experts, however, believe that despite China's effort to warm up with Nepal, the latter cannot underestimate the 'importance of India'. Experts believe that the relationship between both countries is too historically deep to be overlooked by either of them.

Nonetheless, some foreign policy thinkers believe that Nepal's proximity with China will certainly put some pressure on India, an may push New Delhi to have less condescending attitude towards its small neighbor.

After his India's visit, Nepal's Prime Minister will be soon visiting China. This indicates that while Nepal wants to resolve its recent misunderstanding with India, it would simultaneously seek to deepen ties with China in a bid to reduce economic overdependence on New Delhi.  

TagsNepal, India, china