China is seeking to reinforce its relationship with Nepal after the country’s recent political upheaval, as Nepal’s new Foreign Minister, Shisir Khanal, met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on Monday.
The visit marked Khanal’s first official trip to China since his party secured a sweeping election victory in March, reshaping Nepal’s political landscape. The meeting also came just days after the Nepalese minister visited neighbouring India, highlighting Kathmandu’s delicate balancing act between Asia’s two rising powers.
During the talks, Wang reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to Nepal, describing the Himalayan nation as a key priority in China’s regional diplomacy. He also pledged China’s continued support for Nepal’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Political analysts say the collapse of the previous Communist Party-led coalition government in Nepal has created fresh challenges for Beijing, which has spent years cultivating strong political and economic ties with its southern neighbour.
The change in government has reportedly forced Chinese diplomats to reassess their strategy in a region considered critical to Beijing’s long-term interests. China has been working aggressively to strengthen influence among neighbouring countries while simultaneously pursuing its territorial ambitions in the East and South China Seas.
Nepal’s geographic position between China and India gives it strategic importance far beyond its population of around 30 million people. Analysts believe Kathmandu’s ability to engage both powers provides it with valuable leverage in negotiations.
Although Nepal and India have experienced decades of disputes over sections of their 1,751-kilometre border, Khanal recently signalled a fresh start during a visit to New Delhi. He reportedly told Indian officials that the new Nepalese government was prepared to improve bilateral relations and move beyond political disagreements of the past.
At the same time, Nepal’s relationship with China has faced obstacles due to delays in several major infrastructure projects linked to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which Nepal joined in 2017. Many of those projects have stalled amid disagreements over financing arrangements.
Seeking to reassure Kathmandu, Wang reiterated China’s commitment to investing in Nepal’s development, highlighting cooperation in key sectors such as power generation, highways, aviation and transport infrastructure.
Observers believe Beijing may have been caught off guard by Nepal’s election outcome. Eric Olander, co-founder of the China-Global South Project, suggested the leadership change likely attracted China’s attention because Beijing traditionally prefers political stability in countries where it has strategic interests.
According to Olander, sudden political shifts that could potentially challenge China’s influence often prompt concern among Chinese policymakers, particularly when popular movements result in the removal of incumbent governments.
As Nepal navigates its new political chapter, the country is expected to remain at the centre of a growing strategic competition between China and India, with both regional giants eager to strengthen their influence in the Himalayan nation.
