China is getting aggressive these days. Since the breakout of Wuhan virus China has been cornered by major global powers for hiding information with regards to the virus origin. Now there is a threat of a global investigation on the Chinese subterfuge.
India has not publicly called out China on the virus but it is facing Chinese heat on the borders. There are some altercations and exchanges going near the borders in Sikkim and Ladakh. Chinese are also trying to build a Dam in Pak occupied Kashmir on the invitation of Pakistan. Obviously they are aiming to irritate India. They also made the Nepal PM say some nasty things to India on the Virus ( Exact words - Indian virus more lethal than Chinese). Indian Army Chief General Naravane dismissed the comment made by Nepal PM as being said by some one else's behest.
China have issues with Hong Kong ( though part of China unrest by pro-democracy protestors), Taiwan, USA etc. It is a busy country these days fighting multiple battles. With Russia on its side the Chinese are getting aggressive in the international arena.
Nepal has many things common with India its culture, tradition, familial ties and above all both are Hindu majority. Till recent past Nepal was the only Hindu country in the world. Nepal is now calls itself Federal democratic republic of Nepal. Things have changed rapidly in Nepal post the emergence of the communists as strong political forces. The communist parties in Nepal look towards China for support and it is said china worked with the two competing communist parties CPN, UCPN to form Nepal communist party.
China obviously has deep interest in getting Nepal on its side. Nepal is a buffer state between India and China. China is offering billions of dollars of loans to Nepal for its hydro projects etc and has its political parties in its firm grip. It is said that Nepal PM Oli is paying back a favor to china through his comment against India, China negotiated unrest in the communist party leadership between Oli, Prachanda and Madhav Nepal and asked Prachanda and Madhav to backoff and let Oil be the PM and Chairman of the party ( violating the one post principle that was agreed).
Nepal brought in a project which was 5 years in the making to claim territory. They also released a map showing Indian territories of Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura as its own. India was building this road which reduces the time taken to travel to Kailash manas sarovar by 6 hours.
Government of India has responded but kept it low key given the importance of India, Nepal relationship. The growing Chinese influence on Nepal politics is not at all a good sign and India must get its act together. While India is doing its best the Nepalese political establishment has been under the Chinese grip making it hard to smoothen the rough edges in the relaitonship. India should keep trying.
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