Ranjit Thapa

Nepal's Strategic Future: Following India, or China, or Middle Road Ranjit Thapa

Publisher Marketing: Nepal, geo-strategically located between India and China, must have appropriate relations with both countries. Prior to 2006, Nepal's monarch maintained a generally balanced approach in dealing with India and China even though in practice Nepal had a closer relationship with India due to key factors, such as geography, socio-cultural closeness, and reliance on trade and transit through India. However, a great political transition occurred in Nepal during 2007, and since 2008, China has increased its activities within Nepal. This study addresses Nepal's strategic dilemma by looking at three policy options: lean towards India; lean towards China; or follow a middle road between these two powers. Through descriptive and analytical studies of government policies adopted by Nepal, India, and China, published books, and scholarly articles, this research analyzes Nepal's options in terms of the diplomatic-political, informational, military, and economic (DIME) instruments of national power and geographic factors. Nepal must preserve her hard-won position within this triangle carefully and wisely. She must carefully choose her future path. She must maintain a sharp focus on serving her national interests, promoting stability and prosperity, and preserving her sovereignty and independence while taking into consideration the interests of her two powerful next-door neighbors, China and India.