China Courts Closer Ties with Nepal: A Conversation with Gaurab Shumsher Thapa

This episode examines China’s engagement with Nepal and the trajectory of the China-Nepal bilateral relationship. Our guest, Mr. Gaurab Shumsher Thapa analyzes the impact of Xi Jinping’s 2019 visit to Nepal as well as China’s evolving political, security, and strategic interests in Nepal. Mr. Thapa explains the Nepalese government’s support of the “One-China Policy” and the importance of Nepal’s foreign policy of non-alignment. He also discusses China’s growing investment in Nepal and the ways in which China’s Belt and Road Initiative may improve the two countries’ economic relations in the future and promote the development of Nepal.

Mr. Gaurab Shumsher Thapa is the president and managing director of the Nepal Forum of International Relations Studies (Nepal FIRST). Mr. Thapa is a member of the Nepal Council of World Affairs and a regular opinion writer for Asia Times.