China-Nepal relations: A cooperative partnership in slow motion

Abstract

Despite the long-standing friendship between Nepal and China, their relationship has developed rather slowly since the reestablishment of democracy in Nepal in 1990, mainly due to the constant pressure from Western forces faced by Nepali political elite, as well as the ignorance of most democratic governments about balancing Nepal’s foreign relations, especially between its two giant neighbors, India and China. In recent years, however, the Nepali government has been trying to promote pragmatic cooperation with China in order to garner support for its own development. With the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in building the “Belt and Road Initiative (BRI),” the China-Nepal relationship is likely to enter a new era. Based on a historical review of the development of China-Nepal relations, this article offers some suggestions on how to enhance their cooperative partnership in the future.