Nepal floats new triple entente with China and India

KATHMANDU/ CAVELOSSIM (GOA)/ NEW DELHI: Nepal has called for a strategic partnership and cooperation with China and India, its two giant neighbours seen as jockeying

KATHMANDU/ CAVELOSSIM (GOA)/ NEW DELHI: Nepal has called for a strategic partnership and cooperation with China and India, its two giant neighbours seen as jockeying for influence in the Himalayan nation. The proposal, made during an impromptu quick meeting between Nepali Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping was well received, a statement issued by Nepali leader’s secretariat said Sunday.

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A meeting between Xi and Prachanda on the sidelines of a BRICS dinner turned into a trilateral when Modi dropped by and spent more than 20 minutes with the two leaders. The gathering raised eyebrows as it is unusual for a scheduled bilateral meeting to go this way. According to officials, Prachanda after concluding delegation-level talks with Xi was waiting in the VIP lounge when Xi walked in on his way to the dinner.

The Nepali PM was with his wife Sita and son Prakash Dahal, who also doubles up as his private secretary. Prachanda, sources said, used the opportunity to brief Xi about Nepali politics and rationale for his decision to form a new government in August. That is when Modi joined the conversation. Prachanda’s son, Prakash, posted several photographs on his Facebook page and described the meeting as “coincidental”.

Indian officials, too, under played the development. “There is nothing unusual about it. At multilateral forums, leaders often have such meetings,” said India’s external affairs ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup, adding the three leaders enjoyed a good relationship. The Nepali leader was in Goa for the BRICS-Bimstec Outreach Summit.