India has a China-sized problem in Nepal but must capitalise on current momentum
While China has gone about reshaping the regional and even international order, exerting intense gravitational pull over smaller states around India’s periphery, India has remained complacent and insulated.
Sreemoy Talukdar
December 10, 2020 09:05:49 IST
File image of Nepal prime minister KP Sharma Oli. PTI
In a recent interview to
The Hindu newspaper, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expanded on the enormity of the challenge India faces from a rising China that has launched massive economic and influence operations through trade and connectivity projects to win friends and gain favour among India’s closest neighbours — states that form part of India’s strategic backyard. Jaishankar’s comments betray a tacit admission that India has long been taking relationship with nations on its continental neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region for granted.