New Report | Nepal’s Geopolitical Crossroads: Balancing China, India and the U.S.

Nepal's Geopolitical Crossroads

NEW DELHI, INDIA; September 20, 2023 – A new report from the Asia Society Policy Institute delves into the complex dynamics and interests of China, India, and the United States in Nepal, unraveling the historical context that shapes their involvement.

In “Nepal’s Geopolitical Crossroads: Balancing China, India and the U.S.,” author Rishi Gupta, Research Fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute in New Delhi, dissects the geopolitical complexities at hand to shed light on the strategic decisions Nepal faces and the road ahead it needs to navigate.

In his paper, he explores the following:

  • The shifting role that Tibet has played in the history of China-Nepal relations and how it continues to be the cardinal factor
  • How and why the growing influence of the US and India in Nepal has given rise to Chinese concerns, particularly on Tibet, border disputes and the prospects for Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
  • How the U.S.-led development cooperation in Nepal under the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) has shifted today’s geopolitical landscape
  • An overview of recent US-Nepal diplomatic exchanges, Chinese worries in Nepal, Indian perspectives on the US role in Nepal, China’s current regional security interests, and ongoing challenges to the BRI

Read the full report here. To connect with Mr. Gupta for an interview, please contact pr@asiasociety.org.