{"id":1659,"date":"2020-08-16T04:43:08","date_gmt":"2020-08-15T22:58:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/himalini.com\/en\/?p=1659"},"modified":"2020-08-15T16:48:16","modified_gmt":"2020-08-15T11:03:16","slug":"india-china-nepal-relations-economic-opportunities-and-connectivity-challenges-report-of-webinar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/himalini.com\/en\/india-china-nepal-relations-economic-opportunities-and-connectivity-challenges-report-of-webinar.html","title":{"rendered":"India-China-Nepal Relations: Economic Opportunities and Connectivity Challenges (Report of Webinar)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0India-China-Nepal Relations: Economic Opportunities and Connectivity Challenges<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

On August 12, 2020, Dr. Geeta Kochhar Jaiswal organized an international webinar on India-
\nChina-Nepal Relations: Economic Opportunities and Connectivity Challenges under the auspices of
\nNIICE and Creat Foundation Trust. There were 14 speakers from India, China and Nepal in total.
\nThe webinar covered various aspects of the relationship including economic ties, challenges of
\ndevelopment, ecological issues for various projects, connectivity and linkages, cultural impediments
\netc. apart from dwelling on the larger geopolitics and theories of hegemony.
\nIn the opening panel, Ambassador Shambuhu Ram Simkhada focused on India-China relations,
\nespecially as the tensions are brewing on the border, and related it to implications on and choices
\nfor Nepal. He stated that both India and China are rising and are striving to get their rightful place in
\nthe world order. However, he pondered on whether the two leaders PM Modi and President Xi
\nJinping can rise above the present border issue or not. He pointed out that the leaders need to
\nliberate their minds, be creative and have grand ideas, as ideas can create a good future, but can also
\ndestroy future. He showed positivity that the leaders of two rising powers have very good ideas like
\nwin-win relationship, shared future, or \u201cSabka Sath Sabka Vikas\u201d etc. but these need to be
\nmaterialised. In his perspective, a war between India and China is not probable; rather even
\nunthinkable. On an optimistic note, he stated that If European Union can build connectivities and
\nengage with each other after years of bloody wars, then why can\u2019t India and China rise above their
\nbilateral border issues. He further highlighted that the US is currently pursuing regional hegemony
\nand not letting other powers to rise. It is \u2018America First\u2019 policy that is preventing the rise of other
\npowers. India will have to choose sides. In this geopolitical matrix, Nepal is facing the \u2018Paradox of
\nproximity\u2019. He argued against the \u2018equi-distance\u2019 policy of Nepal and advocated \u201cSwabhavik
\nSambandh\u201d (Natural relationship), which can help Nepal turn the geographic proximity to \u2018Reward
\nof geography\u2019.
\nDr. Huang Zhengduo, Director of Nepal Study Centre in Sichuan University, talked about China-
\nNepal relations. Presenting various statistical figures, he pointed out that China\u2019s trade with many
\nSouth Asian countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Srilanka etc. far exceeds China-Nepal trade. He
\nsaid that the low level of trade shows that there is greater potential to expand trade volume, though
\nNepal has certain concerns over trade deficit. He also pointed out various Chinese projects in Nepal,
\nespecially industrial parks and infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road initiative.
\nMaj. Gen. (Retd.) Vinaya Chandran looked into the Importance of Nepal in China\u2019s Foreign
\nPolicy. He stated that China wants to engage Nepal in order to get close to India. Historically, China
\ntreated Nepal as a barbarian state, but in the contemporary times, China looks at Nepal as a transit
\nroute to South Asia. He suggested that Nepal can become a \u2018strategic buffer zone\u2019 between India
\nand China.
\nMr. Zou Zhengxin from Sichuan University talked about the India-China-Nepal economic
\nCorridor as well as the sub-regional cooperation. He stressed on Chinese President Xi Jinping\u2019s 2+1
\nmodel of relationship between the three states, stating that in order to have economic engagement
\namong the three states, there has to be trilateral negotiations. He said, China is looking at
\ndevelopment plans for Nepal and it is learning by doing.<\/p>\n

Dr. Bawa Singh and Dr. Rajesh Kumar argued over the larger geopolitical scenario, focusing on
\nthe notions of hegemony that is linked to big powers and China\u2019s posture in the changing global
\norder. They stressed that China needs to positively look at India\u2019s rise and not confront India. They
\neven pointed out that with the assertive posture of China, it has not only lost the support of many
\nstates in the world, but has antagonised a strong neighbour, which has an expanding potential
\nmarket. Balasubramanian C. also argued on similar lines, stressing on China\u2019s ambitions for the
\nIndian Ocean.
\nDr. Gaurav Bhattarai from Tribhuvan University argued on the \u2018connectivity driven strategy\u2019 of
\nNepal as an imperative need for Nepal\u2019s development. He pointed out that there were certain direct
\nbus route connections from Nepal to Tibet, but they were stopped by China due to security
\nconcerns. He said that cross-border connectivity projects with India are much easy and cost-
\neffective than with China, where free flow of population is the biggest hinderance. Ms. Hindu
\nSanskriti Karki looked on connectivity projects from a theoretical framework, arguing that
\n\u2018survival\u2019 is no more a factor for states, especially Nepal to engage with other powers. There are
\nmany platforms like the multilateral institutions that can provide balance for Nepal. She stressed
\nthat the fear and threat from China is exaggerated; while China offers many opportunities.
\nProf. Yin Xinan form Sichuan university was very pessimistic about the cultural connections
\nbetween the three states. He stated that in order to boost cultural ties, the first step is to promote
\nSanskrit both in China and in Nepal, as that was also the basis of Buddhism. Second, research on
\nBuddhism should be developed. He further argued that there needs to be a cultural and linguistic
\ndialogue between the states. He proposed to establish a trilateral fund to encourage students
\nexchanges and undertake research work.
\nDr. Shree Govind Shah gave an elaboration of Indian and Chinese projects in Nepal and
\nhighlighted that most of the projects overlook the environmental costs and ecological impact. He
\nsaid that Nepal needs to focus on development, but learning from the experience of other countries,
\nNepal should be cautious about the destruction of ecological balance while seeking development.
\nHe argued that China-Nepal Railway project is not feasible and the costs will be too high. In
\naddition, he looked at the seismic challenges that can have devastating affect on Nepal if some of
\nthe projects are undertaken without due consideration.
\nProf. Shen Dingli, was very stark in his views. He highlighted two main factors in contemporary
\nrelationship. One, infrastructure development is not for free. He said that in 1940s, US spent 12
\nbillions USD as free gift to other countries, the reason for its goodwill. However, Indian and
\nChinese projects in Nepal are commercial projects that are based on interest and not for free. China
\nhas many projects in Nepal and invested huge sums, but nothing is for free or as a gift. Chinese
\nState-owned enterprises spend huge sums, at times even by loosing huge sums, as their CEOs know
\nthat they will not be held accountable; rather because of Chinese political system, pleasing the
\nleader (read President Xi) is important.
\nThe second factor, in his view, is the geo-strategic interests. India thinks of becoming prosperous
\nand secure, but that does not let China happy. He believes that the Chinese have cold war mentality.
\nChina tries to compete with India in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives and now even in Nepal. Some
\nIndians also think the same way. He said it is wrong to posit that by building CPEC, China-Pakistan
\nrelations will improve; rather they will deteriorate, as the opposition forces in Pakistan will be<\/p>\n

against China. The ruling party may take money and allow infrastructure projects, but then the
\nchange in regime will brew anti-China sentiments. In his view this is similar is case of Nepal, which
\nhave a ruling government pro-China as of now. However, when the burden of cost of projects will
\npinch Nepal\u2019s economy that will be unable to repay and fall in debt-burden, the anti-China
\nsentiments will rise. Srilanka is a case in point in his view where China-Srilanka relations have been
\ninfluenced due to this debt-burden. He suggested that in Nepal there should be all party discussion
\nand referendum for projects under BRI of China. China should encourage this and not invest in
\nprojects just to compete with India or undermine India. He further argues that both India and China
\nshould build greater understanding between them, especially if China wants to undertake projects in
\nneighboring states like Nepal. India can do in similar ways and in specific should have all party
\nconsultation sin Nepal; rather than discussions with just pro-India parties.
\nIn his opinion, India and China have no space for vicious way to compete with each other; rather
\nshould have greater transparency. China should undertake economic projects in neighboring states
\nand not strategic interference. He stated that the current strategy of China is deeply fraud. China
\nmay not be vicious, but it acts in ways that prove China is vicious. He further pointed out that US
\nand China are competing everywhere, which is why US is very suspicious about China. If US gains
\none overseas space, China wants ten.
\nOn Galway valley incident, Prof. Shen made an humble apologize towards India and requested
\nIndia to forgive China. He appealed to demilitarize the border area and establish \u2018Buffer zone\u2019.<\/p>\n

Dr. Geeta Kochhar Jaiswal
\nAssistant Professor, JNU
\nChina Fudan FDDI Ambassador in<\/p>\n

\"\"
Dr. Geeta Kochhar Jaiswal, Jawaharlal Nehru University,<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0India-China-Nepal Relations: Economic Opportunities and Connectivity Challenges On August 12, 2020, Dr. Geeta Kochhar Jaiswal organized an international webinar on India- China-Nepal Relations: Economic Opportunities and Connectivity Challenges under the auspices of NIICE and Creat Foundation Trust. There were 14 speakers from India, China and Nepal in total. The webinar covered various aspects of the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":262,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[14,17,13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1659","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-education","category-india","category-nepal"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/himalini.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/IMG-20190426-WA0019.jpg?fit=1280%2C1280&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paS11m-qL","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/himalini.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1659","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/himalini.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/himalini.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/himalini.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/himalini.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1659"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/himalini.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1659\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/himalini.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/262"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/himalini.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1659"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/himalini.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1659"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/himalini.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1659"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}