Nepal’s Geopolitical Sensitivity on Great Power Rivalry: Analysing through the Lens of Schizoanalysis

Abstract

Nepal, positioned strategically between China and India, faces unique security and foreign policy challenges as a buffer state amidst great power rivalries. This article employs Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari's schizoanalysis framework to analyze Nepal’s security dynamics and foreign policy evolution. Concepts such as deterritorialization, reterritorialization, molecular and molar lines, and machines of desire are applied to explore the interplay of domestic and international factors influencing Nepal’s geopolitical strategy. The study highlights Nepal’s historical balancing act between India and China, the impact of political transformations since 1990, and the growing influence of global powers like the US and EU. It also addresses the structural vulnerabilities and opportunities posed by these dynamics, focusing on Nepal’s aspirations for sovereignty, economic development, and geopolitical stability. By integrating schizoanalysis into the study of international relations, the article provides a novel perspective on how smaller states navigate great power competition, emphasizing Nepal’s nuanced approach to diplomacy and security.