General Bipin Rawat, Chief Of Defence Staff Cautions Nepal
Dated : 19 Dec 2020 (IST)
In an indirect reference to the way China has entrapped several Asian and African countries in debt through its Belt and Road projects, General Bipin Rawat has Shown concerns that China, with its infrastructure projects and other strategic inroads into Nepal, is working against New Delhi’s interests
The Indian Chief of Defence Staff said that Nepal should learn from other countries like Sri Lanka and stay vigilant in its dealings with China. This remark though may not go down well with the PM K P Sharma Oli-led government in Kathmandu.
However it clearly tells Nepal to be cautious and that India is watching.
Noting that the “unique, deep and extensive” ties between India and Nepal have been built over centuries, Gen Rawat said, “In the present age, Nepal is also opening up to other nations, including China, based on its independent foreign policy”.
“Here, I would like to stress that India’s goodwill comes with no strings attached. Nepal is free to exercise its choices in international affairs but it should stay vigilant and learn from some cases of Sri Lanka and other nations who signed agreements with other countries in the region,” he added.
He emphasised the need for India and Nepal to further strengthen their ties for the “peace and prosperity of the people of both the countries, who are already inseparable”. Gen Rawat was addressing the annual dialogue between the Centre for Land Warfare Studies in New Delhi and the Nepal Institute for International Cooperation and Engagement.
