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VOL. 27, NO. 26, March 07, 2008 (Falgun 24 2064 B.S.)
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Watchful Eyes Security concerns hound the neighbours amidst serious questions over stability in Nepal
By SUSHIL SHARMA
As its neighbour across Everest struggled through a critical political transition, China sent yet another official delegation this week.
Vice minister for foreign affairs He Yafei-led team was the latest to come avisiting Nepal.
There has been a never-seen-before series of such visits over the past two years of political upheaval. A clear indication of the growing interest of the Dragonland in the neighbourhood of its sensitive “autonomous region of Tibet”.
No surprise that “stability” and “security” were the two issues He Yafei reiterated in every meeting he held in Kathmandu. In official talks, in public speeches, in informal chats – and in speaking to the press. In fluent English – without the assistance of interpreter.
The message was unmistakably clear. China is not confident of what is going on in its immediate neighbourhood. Said a China watcher, “with once-reliable partner, monarchy’s future hanging in balance, China is in search of an alternative.”
The Maoists would have ideally fitted in the Chinese bill. But not yet. The Nepalese Maoists are yet to win the hearts and the minds of the Chinese, despite recent high level contacts Prachanda’s men had had in Kathmandu and Beijing.
Vice minister He Yafei did not choose to have separate meeting with the Nepalese Maoists except shaking hands during dinner receptions organised by the foreign ministry and the China Study Centre.
The Chinese official instead drove to the Nepali army headquarter in Bhadrakali to pay “a courtesy call” on Prachanda’s bete-noire, Rukamangad Katwal.
Richard Bouchers and Shyam Sharans had done it before. But not a senior Chinese official – at least in recent memory.
He Yafei did it. Amidst the Chinese concerns for ‘stability’ and ‘security’ in Nepal.
