KATHMANDU: The unfolding scenario in Nepal concerning the verbal feud between the US and China have hinted at serious consequences.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Joseph H. Felter, who was in Kathmandu last week, had suggested Nepal to agree on Chinese loan and investments if only that served Nepal’s interests.
During his meeting with the Defense Minister, Ishwor Pokhrel, he had “suggested” the former to maintain extreme cautiousness, and focus on transparency while bringing in Chinese investment in the country.
In retaliation, the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Hou Yanqi on Tuesday warned the US to refrain from making unnecessary comments about Nepal-China relations. She came openly to the fore saying that it was unnecessary for a country, which is “miles away” to make negative comments on the two neighbors.
“Nepal and China share the mountains and rivers,” she said at a program on Belt and Road Initiatives (BRI) in Lalitpur while expressing disappointment over negative comments by a third country on the relations between the two neighbors.
She went on to say that China’s investments and projects in Nepal are initiated on the behest of Nepal rather than the Chinese interest.
The Chinese Ambassador even reminisced the completion of the 10.39-kilometer Kalanki-Koteswor Road, which the Chinese side handed-over to Nepal recently.
“I am well aware of the situation of the south Asian countries,” she said while suggesting the US to support them rather than making comments.
Citing another instance of Chinese support to Nepal, Chinese Ambassador Hou informed about the Detailed Project Report (DPR) being prepared for the expansion of the Kalanki-Maharajgunj section of the Ring Road.
In a candid tone, she expressed the assurance that China would never ‘entrap’ Nepal under any pretext.
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