# Prem Sagar Poudel
WITH THE MCC PASS, CADRES OF THE RULING COALITION, THE MAOISTS AND THE UNITED SOCIALIST PARTY, HAVE BEGUN TO FEEL FRUSTRATED. IN SOME DISTRICTS, THE NUMBER CADRES LEAVING THESE TWO PARTIES AND ENTERING IN UML IS INCREASING.
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CPN-UML Chairman KP Oli held a press conference in Kathmandu at a time when most Nepalis have engaged in the worship of God Mahadev, the Hindu deity. At the press conference held on the day of Shivaratri, Chairman Oli presented himself in a very serious manner. He joked less with journalists. Answered the questions asked in turn.
The UML held a press conference three days after the American project Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) was passed. The ruling coalition had passed the MCC in the House of Representatives on Sunday, February 27. With the MCC pass, cadres of the ruling coalition, the Maoists and the United Socialist Party, have begun to feel frustrated. In some districts, the number cadres leaving these two parties and entering in UML is increasing.
At the press conference held on Tuesday after the MCC was passed, the face of Madhav Nepal, the Chairman of the Unified Socialists, did not shine as well. While arguing that the MCC was not passed in the status quo, the leader Nepal also forgot that the US was adamant that it would not amend the MCC agreement. While arguing that the MCC was not related to the Indo-Pacific strategy put forward by the US, Nepal spent more time criticizing UML Chairman Oli.
Nepal further said:
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During the discussion on MCC in the House of Representatives on Sunday, Khanal had said that MCC should not be passed by the parliament at any cost.
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“China’s interest in Nepal is natural. We don’t think it’s unnatural.” While saying that MCC was in Nepal’s interest, another leader Jhala Nath Khanal was absent in the press conference organized by Chairman Nepal. Khanal had recently presented his views against the MCC. During the discussion on MCC in the House of Representatives on Sunday, Khanal had said that MCC should not be passed by the parliament at any cost.
US interest:
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It can be surmised that the United States has high expectations from Nepal due to India’s silence on IPS. In the proposal put forward to encircle China, the northern region of China can only be encircled by Nepal and India.
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In recent times, US interest in Nepal has been growing. It can be surmised that the United States has high expectations from Nepal due to India’s silence on IPS. In the proposal put forward to encircle China, the northern region of China can only be encircled by Nepal and India. Nepal shares 1,400 kilometers of Chinese border and 3,488 kilometers with India.
The United States now has three interests in Nepal. That is how it can be seen.
Active IPS members:
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The first wish of the United States is that Nepal should actively participate in IPS. The first phase of the journey has started from MCC. Americans have been saying that MCC is a part of IPS.
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The first wish of the United States is that Nepal should actively participate in IPS. The first phase of the journey has started from MCC. Americans have been saying that MCC is a part of IPS. However, at the time of passing MCC in Nepal, it has been pulled out from the IPS brand. In a letter dated September 8, 2021, MCC Vice President Fatima Sumar wrote to Nepal’s Finance Minister Janardan Sharma, which pulled out it from IPS.
However, this letter is from MCC. A report released by the US State Department on November 4, 2019, which is above the MCC, states that “advancing an independent and open Indo-Pacific common vision”. To date, $ 2.9 billion has been spent on the Indo-Pacific strategy. The money was spent through the US State Department and USAID. Since the time of the Trump administration, this money has been spent through MCC and OPIC. ‘
NOT ONLY MCC BUT ALSO US DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS IN THE INDO-PACIFIC REGION HAVE STARTED ACCEPTING GRANTS TO SUPPORT IPS. EVEN THE UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (USAID) HAS BEEN SPREADING THE DEVELOPMENT WORK WITH IPS MONEY.
Not only MCC but also US development partners in the Indo-Pacific region have started accepting grants to support IPS. Even the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been spreading the development work with IPS money. This indicates that the United States will gradually bring all the work in this area under IPS.
A recent example of this is the Blood Transfusion Center Transfer Program held on 20 July 2021 in Dhangadhi, Kailali District cleared it. The center, built in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense, Indo-Pacific Command and USAID, was handed over by Indo-Pacific Command’s commanders in U.S. military uniforms. Normally, you can’t go to another country wearing your military uniform. No one dared to question them, even when they were in a military uniform.
THE 2019 REPORT STATES, ‘NEPAL AND OUR RELATIONSHIP ARE FOCUSED ON DEFENSE RELATIONS WITH NEPAL. IN JUNE 2018, WE HAD IMPORTANT MILITARY TALKS WITH NEPAL.’ THIS LANGUAGE, WHICH IS IN THE NEPAL HEADLINE ON PAGE 36, SHOWS THAT NEPAL HAS BECOME PART OF THE MCC’S MILITARY STRATEGY.
The most important question is whether Nepal can remain a non-member if US aid to the region flows through IPS. Nepal now seems to be close to IPS. The 2019 report states, ‘Nepal and our relationship are focused on defense relations with Nepal. In June 2018, we had important military talks with Nepal.’ This language, which is in the Nepal headline on page 36, shows that Nepal has become part of the MCC’s military strategy.
This seems to be the problem of Nepal. Americans are clear about Nepal. They clearly state what has happened with Nepal. However, no official document on this subject can be found in Nepal. Still, getting a security agreement document is nearly impossible. However, looking at the documents made public by the Americans, it can be clearly said that Nepal has penetrated into the circle of the American plan to encircle China.
Use of Northern Land:
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The US wants to use the northern part of Nepal as it did during the Khampa operation. Northern part could be a strong alternative to encircling China. The Americans are clearer than the Nepalese about the strategic importance of the northern region of Nepal, especially the Mustang and Manang.
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The US wants to use the northern part of Nepal as it did during the Khampa operation. Northern part could be a strong alternative to encircling China. The Americans are clearer than the Nepalese about the strategic importance of the northern region of Nepal, especially the Mustang and Manang. They know which way to go and how to create problem for China very well. The then King Mahendra had given the high mountainous region of Mustang to the United States for the Khampa operation. In that area, the US kept people who had fled from Tibet and reached Dharamsala in India. The Khampa, who were trained at the Colorado House in the United States, had more modern weapons than those used by the Nepal Army at that time.
American weapons were delivered to Mustang from a small airfield where Pilator Porter could land in Suchatar, Kathmandu. Weapons and food items for the Khampa were also transported from Pokhara airport. In a sense, the state was silent on what had happened in its own geography. Even today, the United States understands the importance of the land of the North more than Nepal. Therefore, on the advice of the United States, the Nepal Army has been operating a high altitude and mountain warfare school in Upper Mustang. The school is located in the Kaisang camp, which is the headquarters of Khampa.
THE US DECIDED TO INCREASE THE NEPAL ARMY’S ACTIVISM IN THE REGION TO STOP THE CHINESE. THEY HAD NO OTHER CHOICE THAN THIS. THE AMERICANS ALSO DID THEIR BEST TO MOVE THE ESTABLISHED SCHOOL FORWARD. TODAY, IT IS CLEAR HOW IMPORTANT THAT LAND IS TO AMERICANS.
The school has been operated by the Nepal Army since 1974 on the advice of the United States after the disarmament of the Khampa. The Americans thought that Khampa had stopped the Chinese. After the problem of Khampa was solved, the area remained empty. The US decided to increase the Nepal Army’s activism in the region to stop the Chinese. They had no other choice than this. The Americans also did their best to move the established school forward. Today, it is clear how important that land is to Americans. In order to embarrass China, it won’t be wrong assumption that the United States will ask for the Northern land again like as the Khampa revolt.
On the other hand, at the time of Khampa, the Americans were aware of the important mines in the northern region of Nepal. However, they never gave such information to the Government of Nepal. One of the reasons behind that was China. The Americans feared that China would take advantage of the mines if they knew. In 2071BC, the Department of Mines and Geology discovered a large uranium mine in the Lomanthang area of Upper Mustang. The US seems to be afraid that China will also take over the mine located in the Nepal-China border area. Therefore, the United States wants to develop the northern region of Nepal as a strategic area.
NEPAL HAS ALSO BEEN SUPPORTING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES REGARDING INDEPENDENT TIBETANS. EVEN NOW, NEPAL SEEMS TO BE IN FAVOR OF THE ONE CHINA POLICY. IN PRACTICE, NEPAL IS IN FAVOR OF TIBET’S INDEPENDENCE. PRIME MINISTER DEUBA BLINDLY SUPPORTS THE US POLICY.
Nepal has also been supporting the policies of the United States regarding independent Tibetans. Even now, Nepal seems to be in favor of the One China policy. In practice, Nepal is in favor of Tibet’s independence. Prime Minister Deuba blindly supports the US policy. Lately, many Congress leaders have been in this line. The faces of UML Chairman Oli and CPN (US) Chairman Nepal have already shown in the press conference on Tuesday how difficult it is to resist the US pressure.
Way Forward:
Above, the American desire became clear. It can be interpreted from different angles. Whatever the interpretation, the US has been interested in Nepal for more than seven decades. The United States is also clear about the strategic use of Nepalese land. In that case, the United States could adopt such a strategy in the first place.
In case India does not comply, the US wants to keep the IPS regional office in Nepal. For this, they have looked at the land of Panchkhal. Panchkhal is their first choice because of its location on the Kodari Highway and its border with China. China, on the other hand, plans to build storage of petroleum products at Panchkhal. China is thinking of storing petroleum products brought through the Tatopani port.
The United States will resume its efforts to use the mountainous land. Prior to that, they seemed to be working to expand their influence in Nepal. Probably due to MCC in recent times the United States has focused more on the leaders of political parties.
TO ESTABLISH IPS MILITARY TRAINING CENTER IN THE HIMALAYAN REGION. IF THERE IS OPPOSITION TO SUCH WORK, MOVE THE NEPAL ARMY FORWARD. AS A RESULT, THE VOICE OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS CLOSED AS THE NEPAL ARMY HAS STARTED BUILDING SUCH STRUCTURES FOR THEIR OWN NEED.
To establish IPS military training center in the Himalayan region. If there is opposition to such work, move the Nepal Army forward. As a result, the voice of the general public is closed as the Nepal Army has started building such structures for their own need.
Convert all US offices in Nepal to IPS. After doing so, it will focus on US investment through the IPS development agency. As a result, negative comments about IPS are reduced.
TO PUBLICIZE THAT THE AMERICAN PROJECT DOES NOT HARM THE GENERAL PUBLIC. NEGATIVE PUBLICITY OF PROJECTS RUN BY CHINA. AS OF NOW, NEWS ABOUT THE INVESTMENT OF POKHARA AND BHAIRAHAWA AIRPORTS HAS STARTED COMING IN ONLINE NEWS PORTALS. IT SEEMS THAT NEWS OF HIGH INTEREST RATE OF CHINESE MONEY HAS ALSO STARTED COMING.
To publicize that the American project does not harm the general public. Negative publicity of projects run by China. As of now, news about the investment of Pokhara and Bhairahawa airports has started coming in online news portals. It seems that news of high interest rate of Chinese money has also started coming.
Obstruct to move forward China’s BRI as much as possible. To take the message that the BRI is not good among the general public.
Now let’s move to the question:
Without explaining the reasons above, it is not easy to debate whether the situation in Nepal would be like that of Ukraine or the African city Durban. The issue of Ukraine is more relevant now than Durban. The situation in Ukraine under Russian military aggression has not shocked Nepalese. Before clarifying this, let’s analyze some facts.
Russia has urged Ukraine not to pursue two issues. Both issues were of strategic importance. The first was that Ukraine would not join NATO. Second, not to demand membership of the European Union. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected both proposals. He feared that Russia would take over Ukraine. Due to which he sought external protection and did not care Russia.
THE US IS TRYING TO ENCIRCLE CHINA. FOR THIS, NEPAL HAS WELCOMED THE UNITED STATES BY LAYING A RED CARPET. IN THAT CASE, CHINA WOULD NOT LOOK ONLY. CHINA’S REQUEST IS NOT TO BRING THE US INTO THEIR BORDER AREA. AMERICAN WILL NOT FOLLOW NEPAL’S REQUEST. IN SUCH A SITUATION, CHINA WILL NOT REMAIN SILENT
Let’s put Nepal in this situation. The US is trying to encircle China. For this, Nepal has welcomed the United States by laying a red carpet. In that case, China would not look only. China’s request is not to bring the US into their border area. American will not follow Nepal’s request. In such a situation, China will not remain silent. It is not possible for the US to come easily when China invades Nepal. The same thing has become clear in Ukraine. It is clear that external support will be counterproductive for us.
China seeks to advance BRI project. After converting the MCC and US offices in Nepal to IPS offices, the US has asked Nepal not to pursue the BRI project. In such a situation, there could be a bitter relationship between Nepal and China. That, again, is the result of American desire.
DURING THE VOTE, NEPAL VOTED IN FAVOR OF DISCUSSING UKRAINE’S PROPOSAL. INDIA WAS ABSENT IN THE POLLS. CHINA VOTED AGAINST THE UKRAINIAN PROPOSAL. ON THE SAME DAY THAT RUSSIA INVADED UKRAINE, NEPAL SAID THAT RUSSIA’S MOVE WAS AGAINST THE UN CHARTER. “AS A MEMBER OF THE UNITED NATIONS, NEPAL MUST FULLY RESPECT THE SOVEREIGNTY AND INTEGRITY OF ANY COUNTRY AS ENSHRINED IN THE CHARTER OF THE UNITED NATIONS,” A STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS SAID THAT NEPAL HAD A DIFFERENT VIEW ON UKRAINE THAN ITS TWO NEIGHBORS INDIA AND CHINA.
Nepal has voted in favor of Ukraine in the UN Human Rights Council. At a council meeting in Geneva on Monday, Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Nations proposed an emergency discussion of human rights in Ukraine following the Russian invasion. Russian representatives, a member of the Council, have stated that such discussion is not necessary. The meeting was adjourned for some time due to a dispute between the two sides. After a dispute, the proposal was voted on. During the vote, Nepal voted in favor of discussing Ukraine’s proposal. India was absent in the polls. China voted against the Ukrainian proposal. On the same day that Russia invaded Ukraine, Nepal said that Russia’s move was against the UN Charter. “As a member of the United Nations, Nepal must fully respect the sovereignty and integrity of any country as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations,” a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Nepal had a different view on Ukraine than its two neighbors India and China. One of the reasons behind this is America. With India remaining silent and China voting against Ukraine, it would have been better for Nepal to remain silent on the issue. This issue has also made the two neighbors feel that Nepal is moving out from their command. Such a situation is not good for Nepal.
Overall, not only the current Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba but also the leaders of the coalition Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav Nepal seem to be slowly moving towards the United States. Deuba has been working for Americans for more than two decades. In such case, Nepal is slowly becoming a fertile ground for Americans.
This scenario is further illustrated by the fact that Deuba did not buy the corona vaccine from China more than Oli did after he became the Prime Minister. There are necessary American vaccines in Nepal now. However, Deuba has created a compelling situation to be given American booster dose for those who have received the first and second doses of Chinese vaccine. Such actions seem to have taken our journey in a more dangerous direction than in Ukraine.
LOOKING AT THE ACTIVITIES IN NEPAL IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, IT SEEMS THAT NEPALI POLITICIANS ARE TRYING TO SPOIL NEPAL’S TRADITIONAL RELATIONS WITH CHINA AND INDIA. IN THE MEANTIME, AN IMAGINARY BORDER DISPUTE WITH CHINA HAS ERUPTED. RELATIONS WITH INDIA HAVE NOT IMPROVED SINCE 2072 BS. RELATIONS WITH CHINA ARE ALSO STRAINED. PRIME MINISTER DEUBA IS WORKING TO SOUR RELATIONS WITH CHINA.
Looking at the activities in Nepal in the last few years, it seems that Nepali politicians are trying to spoil Nepal’s traditional relations with China and India. In the meantime, an imaginary border dispute with China has erupted. Relations with India have not improved since 2072 BS. Relations with China are also strained. Prime Minister Deuba is working to sour relations with China.
Deuba is thinking of making the closer neighbor far and the distant neighbor closer. This thinking is linked to US military strategy. Due to that, the situation of Nepal seems to be getting serious. If China’s security interests are not taken care of, the US and China will fight in Nepal. Nepal has signaled the same by taking the side of Ukraine.
