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More here
The continual internal power struggle in the ruling communist party of Nepal (CPN) – especially between Oli and Prachanda – has finally broken the unity of the largest party as PM Oli dissolved the parliament. The PM Oli’s United Marxist and Leninist (UML) and Prachanda’s Maoist Center had joined hands in the last elections in which as combined forces they won a simple majority. But this split is more complicated because it is not only between UML and Maoist, but Oli’s opponents from UML itself have sided with Prachanda. And the CPN currently has two different Central Committees- one led by Oli, and the other by Prachanda-Madhav Nepal faction. Most members have left Oli, but Oli as PM and also with the President Bidhya Bhandari on his side, is still on the driver’s sit.
Oli’s dissolution is challenged at the Supreme Court, which according to judges will take few weeks to make decision. The Court’s decision in the past has gone either way. In the meantime, Oli’s opponents sound confident that the parliament will be restored, as does Oli on his decision to dissolve it and call for elections next year. Although Oli has been widely criticized for his authoritarian-type ruling in the party and the government, Nepalis who are long disillusioned with politicians do not believe that any change in leadership will make things any better. Oli’s move has however given a huge blow to somewhat stable governance since 2015’s issuance of new constitution, and there is fear all around that the nation might revert back to highly unstable and volatile situation.
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Xi’s idea arrives in Kathmandu before his visit
Leaders from the ruling communist party of Nepal and communist party members of China are conducting some ideological interaction in a new practice to promote socialism of Chinese characteristics, mainly Xi’s path.
Chinese State Councilor Wang Yi arrives in Kathmandu
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrives flew in to Kathmandu on Sunday evening from Islamabad, Pakistan. In his two days visit, Wang Yi will be holding high level meetings apparently to prepare ground for potential visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping in October when he will leave India after meeting PM Modi. Xi’s possible visit to Nepal has been closely watched by China observers in South Asia and in other major capitals in the context of China’s aggressive internationalism under the Belt and Road initiative. Nepal has already sign up the flagship project of China.
India’s citizenship rules excludes ethnic Nepalis
In the state of Assam in India, New Delhi’s National Register of Citizens (NRS) that checks the citizenship of the people of the north eastern state, around two million people are expected be stateless that includes one hundred thousand Nepali-speaking people.
Nepal expects Xi Jinping visit this October
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are set to meet in Mamallapuram, Tamilnadu in the coast of Bay of Bengal this October. As a continuation of their previous informal dialogue in Wuhan China, the two leaders are going to meet in South India. Meanwhile, China’s foreign minister Wang Yi is also visiting Nepal this September, which is speculated as a preparation visit for potential visit of Xi Jinping, according to Himal Khabar.
More on vernacular Himal Khabar
Nepal-China joint military exercise begins in Kathmandu
22 PLA soldiers are in Kathmandu for the second Nepal-China joint military exercise named as the “Sagarmatha Joint Military Training.” The exercise will be two weeks long, and will focus on counterterrorism and disaster management. A group of Chinese observers of the training will also be arriving soon in Kathmandu, Nepal.
More on the vernacular Nagarik
Nepal’s official position on Kashmir
Nepal’s foreign minister Pradeep Gyawali said that Nepal is “closely watching” the aftermath of India’s decision to change the State of Jammu and Kashmir into Union Territory. According to the minister, Nepal’s concern is on two areas: the safety of Nepalese residing in Kashmir and the effect of India’s recent moves on regional peace and stability. He hopes that the issues will be resolved through dialogue. In the meantime, the minister emphasizes the role of SAARC since Nepal chairs the practically moribund regional body in South Asia and reveals that in the coming UN General Assembly, the foreign ministers of SAARC countries will be meeting in the sidelines.
Indian MEA Jaishankar coming to Kathmandu
India’s Minister of External Affairs — former foreign secretary — S Jaishankar is visiting Nepal for a Nepal-India joint commission meeting in Kathmandu on 21st August, 2019.
Climate scientists meet in Kathmandu
As Nepal reels from flood and landslides, scientists from several countries gather in Kathmandu, which could not come in a better time. Nepal PM Oli emphasizes Nepal already being affected by climate change.
India concerned over Nepal’s vegetable imports requirements
Nepal has introduced new policy that requires vegetable imports to be tested for chemical residues. As a result, dozens of truckload of Indian products — India is the largest import destination of Nepal — have been destroyed in just one week. The situation is quite unusual since it is the Nepalese exporters who continuously suffer from India’s quarantine requirements.
Nepalese women workers stranded in mainland China
In a rare case of migrant workers employed in China, several Nepalese women who went to work for a garment factory through a Nepalese manpower company hope to leave as they do not have the required job skills, according to a news on BBC Nepali Service . The job benefits they received were much less than promised by the company in Nepal. According to a Nepali journalist currently based in Beijing, the Nepali workers have not fulfilled all the criteria in order to work in China, a country where low-end manufacturing jobs are rarely allowed to foreign workers. He says, in order to get a work visa for China, the minimum qualification is university graduate. It turns out that even though stricter rules are in place, and the garment factory was visited by officials at the Nepalese Embassy in Beijing as per Nepal’s regulations, some confusion had remained, and in the meantime the company got the permit to send the workers to China from the Ministry of labor in Kathmandu, Nepal. Since the factory is situated near DPRK border, few North Koreans are also working in that factory. Incidentally, there are several hundreds Nepali workers working in the border region in Tibet Autonomous region where they are not required visas, especially the Nepalese who are the locals of border areas.
Nepal-China cross border railway negotiations in Beijing
The 4th meeting of Nepal China trans-Himalayan railway Detailed Project Report (DPR) has taken place between the government representatives of the two countries in Beijing this week. The meeting also discussed the technical aspects regarding domestic railway lines in Nepal connecting the capital city Kathmandu with the tourist hub Pokhara and Buddha’s birthplace Lumbini. However, since the financing aspect was not in this meeting agenda, the participants did not touch upon the financing matters. According to the Deputy of the Nepalese mission in Beijing Mr. Sushil Kumar Lamsal, regarding the cross-border railway construction, several other phases of studies and discussions have been deemed necessary. Chinese companies CEC and SFTI have begun their preliminary studies presented their findings on Kathmandu-Pokhara and Kathmandu-Lumbini railway respectively. Next meeting on the railway will take place in Kathmandu. (Source: BBC Nepali Service)
Nepal PM on BRI- Good experience with China
In his interview to the BBC world, the visiting Nepali PM KP Oli responded to the China’s BRI question by saying that we do not focus on other cases and experiences, but in Nepal’s case “our experience has been good” with working with China’s BRI. He said that Nepal will not accept loans randomly and that carefully calculate and select projects. He reiterated that Nepal has come out of decades long instability and that the country is focused on economic development. In terms of environmental implications of large BRI infrastructure projects, millions more of trees will be replanted to compensate deforestations.
PM Oli request for treaty revision to British PM May
The visiting Nepalese PM KP Oli has proposed PM May to revise the historical Nepal-India-Britain treaty in their meeting at the 10th Downing Street in London. He also brought up the issues regarding Nepalese Gurkhas and the need for the British government to look into the matters.
US seeks to deepen defense ties with Nepal
In the newly released Indo-Pacific strategy report by the US Defense Department, it explicitly mentions small South Asian nations as priority region and partner, and that it seeks to expand defense relationship with Nepal.
The report in this link:
India’s new foreign minister Jaishankar makes Nepal anxious
Modi 2.0 has chosen former foreign secretary S Jaishankar as foreign minister, however, India’s nearest neighbor Nepal is increasingly anxious in terms of seemingly challenging days ahead for the Himalayan nation. The anxiety is mainly associated with Jaishankar visit to Nepal a couple of days before the nation was issuing its new constitution. As Nepalese leaders would not agree with Jaishankar’s suggestion to delay the launch of the constitution due to Madhesi complaints in the southern border, India imposed a blockade on Nepal immediately after the Indian special envoy went back to Delhi. The blockade devastated Nepal further who had been just hit by massive earthquake and the entire nation was upside down and thousands had died. Due to the acute shortage of supply, then Oli government signed trade and transit agreement with China, a historic deal. Consequently, Modi and Susma Swaraj did the course correction.
Modi invites BIMSTEC leaders in his swearing-in
India’s PM re-elect Narendra Modi has invited BIMSTEC nations’ leaders to New Delhi to attend his swearing-in ceremony as the new PM of India. In his first tenure, he invited SAARC leaders, but this time sending a clear signal that he is boycotting Pakistan, he chose the BIMSTEC forum that excludes Pakistan. It also signals that Modi will be prioritizing his neighborhood and Act East policy. Although the question remains that to what extent such photo-ops initiatives will matter to achieve India’s foreign policy objectives given the realities that BIMSTEC has not really taken off the ground except for talks and visits, nevertheless, BIMSTEC leaders and citizens will take it as a positive gesture of Indian government in terms of according due respect and help prepare ground for potential cooperation and opportunities.
PM Oli to visit France, UK and Switzerland in June
After his visit to Vietnam and Cambodia, Nepal’s PM Oli is soon to embark on a week-long visit to Europe.
US official in Kathmandu: MCC grant for Nepal under Indo-Pacific Strategy
Visiting Acting DAS of State David Ranz said in Kathmandu last week that the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) grant for Nepal of US $ 500 million is implemented under the Indo-Pacific strategy and emphasized private sector investment for infrastructure and growth.
PM Oli to visit Vietnam and Cambodia
Foreign policy experts in Kathmandu have questioned Oli’s visit to non-democratic Asian nations Vietnam and Cambodia.
Nepal rail part of China’s BRI corridors
Nepal-China cross border railway project proposal becomes part of BRI economic corridors in the 2019 BRI forum in Beijing.
Nepal Foreign Minister: BRI debt trap a biased argument
The Minister argues that the “debt trap” argument is motivated by bias and does not make sense because there are many countries that had Chinese investment but do not have got into debt trap. Whereas countries like Greece and other got into debt trap in the Western financial debt system. He argues the important issue is how one selects projects.
US Amb Berry says US wants Nepal to exercise sovereignty
In an interview to local media Kantipur and The Kathmandu Post, H E Amb Berry said that the US was focused on democratic principles and inclusive governance, economic growth and Nepal’s independence and sovereignty.
Nepal’s Maoist leader Prachanda meets PDAS Alice Wells in Washington
Nepal’s highly controversial Maoist leader Puspa Kamal Dahal nom de guerre Prachanda is visiting the US supposedly for his wife’s treatment at John Hopkins hospital. Meanwhile, he has met with Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Ambassador Alice Wells in Washington today (March 25, 2019). Dahal was recently at the core of Venezuela controversy against the US when his party issued an statement criticizing US move in the Latin American nation. US Embassy in Nepal immediately asked Nepal’s government to clarify about its position. Subsequently, Prachanda toned down his rhetoric against US’ Venezuela policy.
Photo source: Ganga Dahal’s Facebook (Prachanda’s daughter)
Nepal looks forward to investment summit
Nepal government is going to hold an international investment summit end of March 2019 and hopes for large international investment pledges. However, international partners and national stakeholders strongly urge the government to make necessary reforms in order to succeed.
Recent nomb blasts in Nepal reminds Maoist insurgency era
Nepal police suspects the hardliner communist leader Netra Bikram Chand aka Biplaw, an offshoot of the Maoists who waged a decade-long insurgency, for series of arson attacks in NCell telecom company in several districts.
Nepal communists attack freedom of expression, bans satirical song
“Some sections of the ruling Nepal Communist Party, especially, Youth Federation Nepal, had released a strong statement against the song, discouraging the public from listening to Sharma,” according to The Kathmandu Post. The Post writes, “the NCP youth wing issued a statement in its Facebook page on Saturday accusing the singer of defaming the ruling party while aligning with the main opposition Nepali Congress.”
US Admiral of Indo-Pacific Command arrives in Kathmandu, Nepal
Admiral Philip S Davidson has arrived in Kathmandu and met senior leaders including the army chief Thapa of Nepal.
US-Nepal arms deal for UN operations
Nepal Army is procuring 6492 M-16, M4 and A4 rifles with the US’ Pacific Command for UN requirement for countries in peace keeping operations to have the logistics ready. However, there has been some differences on the payment process. The matter was in the agenda of Nepal FM Gyawali’s visit to Washington where he met his counterpart Mike Pompeo.
Hollywood Actor Morgan Freeman in Kathmandu
Legendary actor Freeman is spotted walking around the old city of Kathmandu, Nepal in a traditional Nepali attire -Daura Suruwal.
Age-old problematic of citizenship in southern Nepal resurface
The incumbent home minister Ram Bahadur Thapa, a Maoist leader, warns against the issuance of naturalized citizenship as the nation is debating legal and constitutional provisions for the same. The government has registered a proposal to amend the Citizenship Act -2006, but women activists and Madhesi lawmakers are against the new provision for women introduced by the proposal.
Nepal earthquake reconstruction: 296,514 houses rebuilt
Nepal Earthquake reconstruction: 296,514 houses, out of 555,612 that were damaged by the devastating earthquake of April 25, 2015, have completed reconstruction, according to the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA).
Nepal wants to rehire the Chinese Gezhouba Group Corporation for Budhi Gandaki
PM Oli administration has decided to bring back China Gezhouba Group Corporation (CGGC), revering the Deuba government’s decision to cancel the contract with the Chinese firm to develop the 1200MW Budhi Gandaki project with internal resources
Nepal cancels its participation in the Pune military exercise
The news that the BIMSTEC member countries were going to participate in a joint military exercise in Pune, and that Nepali Army was also a part of it, met a strong resistance in Nepal. Finally, the PM Oli ordered the Army not to participate in the exercise. Indian PM Modi had declared about the program during the BIMSTEC summit in Kathmandu.
Nepal-China sign protocols to access Chinese seaports
The two countries have agreed upon the protocols to implement the trade and transit agreement signed in 2016 under then PM Oli’s leadership. This is seen as a historic step to end India’s trade and transit monopoly in Nepal. Nepal was desperate to find options after it suffered tremendously because of Indian blockade in the country which had just been hit by a massive earthquake.
America separately wants to pursue relations with Nepal –US PDAS Alice Wells
The visiting US Principal Deputy Asst. Secretary to South and Central Asia Alice G Wells says in an interview to the English daily Republica in Nepal. She says: “Nepal as a sovereign nation should not be forced to make artificial choices. We support the decisions that Nepal makes in its interests. The US separately wants to pursue very close relation with Nepal. You don’t have to be a bordering state of Nepal to have stake in Nepal’s growth and development.
BIMSTEC summit concludes in Kathmandu, PM Oli positive
PM Oli: “The summit has been a significant step towards making BIMSTEC a dynamic, effective and result-oriented regional organization. It has reinvigorated the BIMSTEC process to realize the vast potentials that are available in the region.”
Not much hope from BIMSTEC in Kathmandu
Kathmandu is hosting the fourth BIMSTEC summit this week. Nepal government is positive in terms of using BIMSTEC as a foundation for further cooperation in connectivity and trade. According to Nepal’s foreign minister, there will be some important agreements sealed during the summit. Indian PM Modi will also be there as he is going to inaugurate a guest house in the Pashupatinath temple area. But Nepali stakeholders do not seem to be optimistic about the summit as they do not see any good reason why or how BIMSTEC will achieve its goals. There seems to be one major dichotomy– while India wants to push BIMSTEC as a strategic instrument for its security concerns, Nepal wants to cooperate only in economic matters.
Japan funded Kathmandu’s tunnel procurement process begins
The 2.45 km long Nagdhunga tunnel construction project’s procurement process to appoint contractor has begun. Bidders should send proposals with USD $2 million bid security. Nepal and Japan government had signed this development assistance loan agreement in 2016. The procurement process has to meet Japanese guidelines. The interest rate is 0.01 percent, and the pay back period is 10 years, with 10 years grace period.
Nepal and Bangladesh sign MOU on electricity trade
The agreement between Nepal and Bangladesh will enable Nepal’s surplus power trade with Bangladesh, and also the latter’s wish to invest on power in Nepal. However, India’s cooperation is vital, and is uncertain, in order to use the chicken-neck corridor to that end.
US Pacific Command and Nepal Army Co-host Military exercises in Nepal
Representatives of 20 Asia Pacific countries are or will be in Kathmandu this week for “Pacific Endeavor -2018” military communication exercise co-hosted by the Nepal Army and the US Pacific Command.
Chinese investment coming into PM Oli’s district
As expected, PM Oli has been able to attract Chinese investment into his own district Jhapa in the eastern Nepal. He was criticized for neglecting development of his own base, and now it seems that he has big plans for the region.
Nepal recommends new ambassador to India
Nepal government has recommended Nilkantha Upreti, former chief election commissioner as a new ambassador to India. The cabinet meeting held on Monday afternoon has decided to recommend the name of Upreti as the new envoy to the southern neighbor.
Nepal-China signed cross-border railway agreement during PM Oli’s Beijing visit
In PM K P Oli’s official 6-day visit to China, Nepal signed the Tibet-Kathmandu railway agreement which is dubbed as the “most significant initiative” in the history of bilateral cooperation between the two. Several other agreements were also sealed.
Also: Nepal-China Joint Statement, June 2018
Oli wants to improve ties with India
The Nepal PM K P Oli is set to visit China. On the occasion he said for a prosperous Nepal he is making efforts to improve ties with immediate neighbors. He also assured his fellow Nepalis that he would sign any agreement with China that would be detrimental to Nepal’s interest. He also reaffirmed that the right way for Nepal is the multi-party federal democratic republic with socialism oriented political system.
India finally agrees to give more air routes to Nepal
After over a decade of Nepal’s request to India for providing more air routes as Nepal’s air traffic is growing unbearable for only one entry point, Nepal’s CAAN and India’s AAI signed air agreement to use more air routes. Nepal’s PM Oli’s India visit in May 2018 proved useful as the negotiation gained momentum after that. However, experts believe that the agreement will take some time to be implemented.
Nepal PM Oli signing several deals in China visit this June
The foreign ministries of Nepal and China have confirmed PM Oli’s official visit to China on the invitation of the Chinese PM Li Keqiang. Oli is scheduled to lead a delegation level talks with his counterpart in Beijing. The two countries will have agreements in the areas of raod and rail connectivity, tourism, hydropower, petroleum storage etc. According to China’s foriegn ministry’s statement, this visit is seen as an important step to further strengthen the deepening ties between Nepal and China.
Nepal’s export to China doubled
According to the Nepal Rastra Bank, the central bank of the country, Nepal’s export to China this fiscal year has nearly doubled, as 95 percent of Nepali products are subject to duty-free and quota free treatment by China.
Prachanda wants change in electoral system to enable directly elected executive
Prachanda said that an agreement regarding directly elected executive head was nearly reached in the first Constituent Assembly but decided to hold the election under the existing model for the time being bearing in mind the then political equation and changing context during the second Constituent Assembly.
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Nepal govt releases a Maoist era murder-convict
Nepal government has given amnesty to Mr Bal Krishna Dhungel, a murder-convict who was in life-long imprisonment, and released from jail. Subsequently, the Supreme Court has denied to issue stay order on the government’s decision.
Nepal PM Oli to visit China in June
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is likely to embark on a five-day state visit to China beginning June 19—his second foreign visit since assuming office on February 15.
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Nepal’s biggest communist parties finally merge
The Communist Party of Nepal -United Marxist Leninst (CPN-UML) (KP Oli) and the CPN (Maoist Center) (Prachanda) have dissolved their respective parties to form a new party called Communist Party of Nepal. The new party will have 441-member central committee (241 members from the UML and 200 from the Maoist Center), and will have a 43-member standing committee with 25 representatives from the UML and 18 from the Maoist Centre.
Nepal India joint statement during Modi’s state visit, May 2018
Indian PM Modi just complete his 2-day state visit to Nepal, 3rd visit in his tenure. This visit, largely religious, came mainly to amend fences in the bilateral relations that hit a road a block when India imposed a blockade on Nepal in 2015 endorsing the regional Madhesi movement. Despite several protests at the popular level, the visit seemed very cordial and successful in terms of leaders-to-leaders relations. The chemistry between Nepali PM Oli and Modi has been especially impressive.
The following is the link to the joint statement issued during the visit:
Nepal India joint statement during Modi’s state visit
Indian PM Modi and Nepal PM Oli lay foundation stones of Arun III hydel project
Visiting Indian PM Narendra Modi and Nepal PM K P Oli laid foundation stones of Arun III project, a 900 MW project, from the Dwarika’s hotel in Kathmandu.
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Indian PM Modi arriving in Janakpur, Nepal soon
PM Modi is visiting Nepal for two days , May 11-13. This is his third visit to Nepal. This is a unique visit as he is entering Nepal from Janakpur where he will do a Puja at the Janaki temple. He will aslo visit the mountainous Muktinath near the China border which is an important pilgrimage for Swaminarayan community of Gujarat India from where Modi comes. Although the visit largely seems as a goodwill and religious visit, there will be some announcements on waterways connectivity and infrastructure investment.
More here
Indian visa requirement for Nepalese and Bhutanese citizens
On the eve of Indian PM Narendra Modi’s Nepal visit, India has issued a new visa requirement for Nepalese and Bhutanese citizens “entering India from China, Hong Kong, Macau, Pakistan and Maldives. See the copy of the official instructions below:
Source: https://deshsanchar.com/2018/05/08/51551/
Nepal to continue Indian Embassy’s small grant agreement
Nepal’s PM Oli’s government has decided to give continuity to the small grant agreement between Nepal and the Indian Embassy. As per the agreement, the Embassy can invest up to Rs 50 million directly in Nepal. The previous government of PM Deuba had decided to end the program by not renewing it, but surprisingly the Oli government, which is said to be anti-Indian, has given the continuity.
China eager to build transmission line from Nepal to Shigatse
China has proposed to Nepal that the two countries should collaborate in preparing a detailed project report (DPR) for a planned cross-border transmission line.
More here
India PM Modi to visit Nepal next week
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will start his two-day Nepal visit from May 11 to 12 from Janakpur, according to Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa.
More here
Trump Administration to cancel Temporary Protection Status for Nepalese
9,000 Nepalis face deportation as Trump administration prepares to cancel residency permits
Senate democrats call on Trump Administration to extend the TPS for Nepalese nationals
The letter was signed by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif), Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).
More here:
Chinese tourist arrivals become no. 1 in Nepal
In the first quarter of 2018, China tops the chart of tourist arrivals in Nepal, surpassing India the long-time top source of tourists for Nepal.
Nepal’s Foreign Minister to visit China in April
Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali is visiting China on April 16 on the invitation of the Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. Gyawali’s visit reportedly will lay the groundwork for the PM Oli’s visit to the northern neighbor.
Nepal’s new Prime Minister K P Oli in India
PM Oli is characteristically making many headlines in India and Nepal and elsewhere as he is on his 3 days visit to India.
Nepal PM K P Oli to visit India in April
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is all set to visit India in the first week of April and the ministries have started finalising the agenda to make his visit a grand success.
Nepal Election Commission objects to EU Election Mission Report
The European Union’s election mission in Nepal in its final report irked many in Nepal as it recommends a removal of Nepal’s majority population group “Khas-Arya” from the Proportional Representation elections, a provision which is constitutionally enshrined. The report also criticized Nepal Election Commission for its handling of election processes. The EU’s claims and recommendations drew strong reactions from the election body and the ministry of foreign affairs. Nepal says the EU mission has violated the terms of agreement by issuing an unwarranted and intrusive report. The EU in response says that those recommendations are in the spirit of partnership.
EU EOM Final Report on Nepal Elections
Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ statement in reponse
EU: Recommendations in spirit of partnership
Nepal’s foreign minister says high level visits from India and China this year
Nepal’s new foreign minister, and a close aide of PM Oli, Pradeep Gyawali has said that the recommendations of the Eminent Person Group, that will be out by July, will be the basis for Nepal-India relationship. The minister also hopes that there will be high level visits from both India and China to Nepal in 2018 itself. According to Mr. Gyawali, his government is also working on finalizing protocols for Nepal-China trade and transit agreement his leader Oli had signed in 2015. He said hat railway projects in the north will be his government’s top priority.
Maoist Prachanda: we are in favor of neither India nor China, but Nepal
The Communist Party of Nepal Maoist Center’s Chairman Puspa Kamal Dahal, nom de guerre Prachanda , has said that the fact that Nepal is in between China and India is not a curse but blessing. He claims that in the past the “feudal Nepal” used to lean either toward India or China, but that is history now, “we are in favor of neither India nor China, but in favor of Nepal and will work together with both the countries for Nepal’s development.” Repeating the current left rhetoric in the country, mainly of the PM K P Oli, about good governance, prosperity and development, he claims that the left alliance win has established a foundation for Nepal’s good future, and also talks about the viability of bringing the Nepalis working abroad back home.
Pakistan PM Abbasi arriving in Kathmandu as PM Oli took office
Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid K Abbasi will be the first high level dignitary to visit Nepal in PM K P Oli’s government. Abbasi is arriving in Kathmandu on March 5 for a two-day state official visit. Oli has made a departure from the tradition that any new Nepali PM immediately after taking office visits India by receiving a head of state of another country in Nepal. Reportedly, on a telephone conversation with Indian PM Modi, Oli had responded to Modi’s invitation to India by inviting Modi himself to Nepal first. Indian MEW Sushma Swaraj came to Nepal in an unofficial visit to meet Oli before he assumed office. There were talks about Chinese President Xi visiting Nepal in Oli’s government, but for now Nepalis have to settle with the Pakistani leader. The questions remain whether Oli is leaning too much towards China-Pakistan camp in his endeavor to counter India, or it is a manifestation of his non-alignment policy, or this much is what he could deliver despite his lofty rhetoric.
US Prez Trump congratulates Nepal’s new PM Oli
The US President Donald J Trump has congratulated Nepal’s newly elected PM K P Sharma Oli and expressed his “readiness to advance the partnership” and support to promote “stability, good governance and sustainable economic growth”. PM Oli, a leader of the Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist Leninist, bagged landslide victory in the recent federal and provincial elections with an alliance with the former insurgent Prachanda’s Maoist Center. The US president has appreciated Nepal’s completion of federal elections as “testament to the country’s allegiance to inclusive democratic governance.”
Nepal’s biggest communist parties the UML and the Maoist Center finally unite
The Nepal Communist Party- United Marxist Leninist and the Maoist Center (Prachanda’s) have finally singed the unity agreement ending weeks of speculation and uncertainty regarding the unity process. The new party is named the Communist Party of Nepal, and both the leaders K P Oli from the UML and Prachanda from the Center will jointly lead the party. Regarding the new common ideology, the parties have decided to leave the debate for the next party convention.
More here
Mr. K P Sharma Oli takes oath for the post of prime minister of Nepal
After the impressive win of the leftist alliance led by the leader K P Oli in the federal assembly elections, Oli becomes the 38th PM of Nepal.
More here
US Army Pacific Commander General Robert B Brown is arriving in Kathmandu for a four-day visit. Read more
Increase cooperation between the two armies is our priority – Dep. Asst. Secr. SCA Alice Wells
The US Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia Alice G. Wells has said that the US respects Nepali people’s verdict and will work together with the next government regardless of the fact that the communist alliance has won the recent federal elections. Wells appreciated the fact that Nepal was able to hold peaceful elections, that Nepal is exemplary in terms of following a path of democracy for others, and that as long as there is a legitimate government that represents Nepali people, the US will be willing to cooperate. She said: “our relations will go forward on the basis of our common interests and our peoples’ common values.” She also said that there have been discussions about increasing the cooperation between the militaries of the two countries. Talking about the important role played by the US Pacific Command in Nepal after the 2015 earthquake to provide humanitarian assistance and cope with natural calamity, she added that “it is our priority to increase coordination and cooperation between our armies.” (In her exclusive interview with the BBC Nepali in London, February 2, 2018)
Founder of Himalayan Database, Elizabeth Hawley from Chicago dies at 94 in Nepal
Liz Hawley, originally from Chicago, gave up her job in New York and went to live in Nepal in the 1960s reporting for Reuters. She founded the Himalayan Database which chronicles thousands of expeditions to the Himalayas in Nepal, and although the database is unofficial, prominent mountaineers around the world have huge respect for it. Liz who drove her famous blue VW Beetle in Kathmandu for such a long time and interrogated many mountaineers is now no more. She passed away in Kathmandu at the age of 94. A mountain in north-west Nepal was named Peak Hawley in her honor three years ago. Sir Edmund Hillary had called her ” the Sherlock Holmes of the mountaineering world.”
Read more here
World Bank and Nepal sign US$400 million concessional loan agreements
Nepal government and the World Bank have signed three different finance agreements on the USD 400 million concessional loan. The finances will be for the post-earthquake reconstruction, livestock innovation projects, and vocational education and training projects for youth. The World Bank is developing a new country partnership framework for the next 4 years period.
Nepal is a “partly free’ country –Freedom House Report 2018
The Freedom House, a freedom watchdog organization in Washington DC, launches its Freedom in the World 2018 report. According to the report, Nepal continues its “partly free” status which it has had for the last several years except in 2006, however, this year the country has gained 3 points from 52/100 to 55/100 in aggregate as a positive development due to the peaceful completion of several federal level elections. Nepal’s performance has been especially good this year compared to the worrying global trend of democratic decline in decades. According to the report, 2018 marks the “12th consecutive year of decline in global freedom.” It also highlights the “accelerating decline in American political rights and civil liberties.”
US Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Announcement
The US Department of Homeland Security has announced the termination of the TPS for El Salvador and Haiti. Nepal’s TPS status as of now remains extended through June 2018. The TPS designated countries are: Nepal, Nicaragua, Honduras, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Yemen, and ( El Salvador and Haiti). However, the termination for these two countries will be effective only from September and July 2019 respectively. Nepalese diaspora organizations have been stepping up their efforts in Washington to get the TPS extended for Nepal. For more information on TPS, visit Homeland Security.
US Sky Trucks to arrive soon: Nepali Army ; Russia and Ukraine compete for Helicopter deals
The Nepal Army has announced that it will not accept reconditioned helicopters any more due to the difficulties to repair. Meanwhile, it says that it will be receiving its order any time soon from the US. During the visit of the Army Chief Rajendra Chhetri visit to the US in 2016, the US government had pledged to provide 4 Sky Trucks to Nepal. Similarly, as the Army announced its decision to purchase 2 more Russian helicopters, MI-17, the Ukranians have started to lobby in Kathmandu for their MI-8 which they claim to be similar to the Russian ones but very economical. The Nepal Army received 2 MI-17s from Russia in 2015. (Source: Kantipur daily, Nepal)
US Ambassador to Nepal: US has alignment of interests with India, also with Nepal and China
The US Ambassador to Nepal Alaina B. Teplitz says that Nepal needs to have a friendly relationship with both of its neighbors just like it is friend with the US and many other countries. She argues that Nepal should emphasize regional connectivity to achieve economic growth, and the connectivity in Nepal’s case will be on both sides, i.e., South Asia and China. Nepal and the US have the strong foundation of the 70 years of bilateral relationship, and the US would like to take this friendship further with close collaboration on priority areas such as poverty reduction, development, inclusion, environment, trade and investment, transparency etc. Sometimes the US policy in Nepal is misinterpreted due to the fact that the US has some alignment of interests with India. But it should be noted that the US has alignment of interests with Nepal, and also with China. “We also look for allies and partners that are like-minded. We have our values and principles, and we want democratic form of governments”. The US will work with any parties or governments in this new political era of Nepal as long as the democratic processes are institutionalized and followed. In terms of the Chinese investment in Nepal, she stresses that the international standards are met, and that the process be transparent. The US wants Nepal to take the benefit from its partners in a sustainable way and the US is willing to work together with Nepal. The Nepalese diaspora in the US and many Americans who travel to Nepal will only make the relations more important and closer. ( Excerpts from her exclusive interview with the Kantipur television in Kathmandu, Nepal, 26 December, 2017)
Indian PM Modi’s telephone conversation with the Nepal’s CPN-UML Leader K P Oli
Indian PM Narendra Modi has called the three leaders in Nepal in one day, the PM and the Nepali Congress leader Sher B. Deuba, the Maoist Center’s Prachanda, and the CPN-UML’s KP Oli. Modi has congratulated the three leaders for the historic achievement of successfully conducting all three levels of federal elections. Reportedly Modi had a long conversation with Oli, the triumphant UML leader who in recent months is increasingly seen as a pro-China figure in the Nepalese politics, as China was a subject of their chat. While Modi has communicated his willingness to work together with Oli’s leaderhip, Oli has said that it is Nepal’s interest to have good relationship with both of its neighbors, thus, will have a good balanced relations with India and China. The Indian and international press has watched this election largely in geopolitical terms, which is not well-taken by the Nepali press and the people as they believe they exercised their sovereign power to vote parties and leaders according to their own judgement. One UML leader, Pradip Gyawali, puts that his party wants to have a harmonious relationship with India, and that it is anti-Indian is a misleading interpretation spread by a section of the Indian media and few persons.
K P Oli’s UML secured an impressive victory in the federal elections
The Communist Party of Nepal – United Marxist and Leninist has registered an outstanding performance in the federal and provincial elections by winning both the First Past the Post and Proportional Representation voting. In the FPTP the UML has inflicted a humiliating defeat on the grand old party Nepali Congress. The left parties’ alliance –the UML and the Maoist Center of Prachanda – has secured comfortable majority in the federal parliament, and even a two-third majority in some provinces. While the Nepalese people have given their verdict that they want stability and development, international experts have watched the elections in terms of the geopolitics of South Asia, mainly the rivalry between China and India. The next government of PM Oli is seen to have more nationalistic tone, meaning, less India and more China.
The leftist alliance is set to have a landslide victory
The electoral alliance between the biggest communist party of the country the CPN-UML and Prachanda’s Maoist Center are leading with huge margin against the Nepali Congress and its alliance in both federal and provincial assemblies. The alliance has in fact already secured a two-third majority in the First Past the Post votes for the federal parliament, bagging 111 seats out of total 165. Similarly, the Proportional Representation votes counting is in progress in which the left alliance is leading too. However, in the PR voting, the Nepali Congress is behind the UML with small margin, and the Maoist Center is much behind. The UML has won 5 provinces out of total 7 in the FPTP voting. In the province no. 2, which had seen a long agitation, the Madhesis’ alliance RJP has won.
Nepal’s post-Maoist insurgency peace transition ends with federal elections
Nepal is holding the first phase of central and provincial level elections required by the new federal constitution of Nepal ending the peace process that began after the Maoist rebels signed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2006. Nepal already successfully conducted local government level polls few months ago. After a decade of uncertainties, mainly due to the Maoists’ behavior in the beginning that did not correspond to the peace agreement, and due to regional and identity movements, namely the Madhesi movement in which many citizens lost their lives, Nepalese are hopeful that the era of conflict is over, and the country is set on a path to economic growth and development duly addressing the unresolved issues and community grievances.
For updates on the elections, go to Nepal Election Commission.
Handicraft fair ends in record transaction in Kathmandu
The 15th Handicraft Trade Fair organized by the Federation of Handicraft Association of Nepal in Kathmandu ended with about US $ 7.7 million in transaction with more than one hundred thousand visitors. The handicraft sector provides more than 1 million jobs directly and indirectly in Nepal.
Nepal Election Commission concerns about candidates’ security due to bomb blasts
The Election Commission has said it seriously takes the growing number of attacks on candidates and election rallies with the first phase of federal parliamentary and provincial elections less than 10 days away. Polls will be held in 32 districts on November 26 in the first round.
China Three Gorges Corporation and Nepal Electricity Authority joint investment agreement
The China Three Gorges Corporation (CTGC) and Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) have signed an agreement to jointly invest in the West Seti Hydropower project. NEA executive director Kulman Ghising and CTGC representative signed on the agreement this week.
Nepal cancels the contract with the Chinese Gezhouba Group for 1200 MW hydel project
The previous PM Prachanda had granted the national pride project of Budhigandaki to a controversial Chinese company —Gezhouba Group — circumventing the due process shortly before his prime ministership ended. On the recommendation of several parliamentary committee, the cabinet has made the decision to scrap the agreement.
Nepal’s 3-time prime minister Kirti N Bista passes away
Kirti Nidhi Bista, a royaist and nationalist, died at the age of 90 in Kathmandu this week. He was the first politician to raise the issue about 1950 India Nepal friendship treaty and oversaw as PM the end of Indian military presence in Nepal. He is known for his simplicity and integrity.
Nepal elected as a member of the UN Human Rights Council 2018-20
Nepal has been elected as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2018-20 term on October 16, 2017 in the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly in New York. Nepal secured 166 votes, which was the highest in the Asia-Pacific group. Nepal will serve the Council in its member capacity for the first time since the creation of the body. Among the 15 states elected regionally, countries such as Qatar, Pakistan and Afghanistan are also among the elected in the Asia-Pacific group.
Nepalese Ambassador to India Mr. Deep Kumar Upadhyaya Resigns
As Nepal successfully conducted the local level elections and is preparing for provincial and central/parliamentary elections, in a surprising move, the big communist parties UML and Maoist Center including New Force/Naya Shakti of former Maoist Baburam have formed an election alliance and in principle agreed on uniting all the parties. As another episode to several unexpected and quick developments in the Nepalese politics, the government summoned its ambassadors for US, India and China for discussions at the parliament’s foreign relations and labor committee. Shortly after that, the ambassador to India D K Upadhyaha resigned. He had already made public his intention to leave his diplomatic job to run for upcoming elections. Ambassador Upadhyaha is a long time Nepali Congress politician, from the Deuba camp, and will run for elections from his home district Rupandehi. His tenure was quite controversial as he had been called back once by the Oli government, and then “reinstated”. He also faced a huge challenge as the ambassador to India during the five-months blockade due to Madhes movement supported by India. During his tenure in Delhi, he was criticized in Nepal for being somewhat too inclined towards India rather than defending Nepal’s national interests.
The UN welcomes Nepal holding third phase local elections successfully
The United Nations has congratulated Nepal for successfully conducting the local level elections, and advised the country to hold upcoming regional and central elections also in an inclusive and peaceful manner. According to the spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, the Secretary General Antonio Guterres has congratulated Nepal and said that this is a “crucial step” in implementing federalism in Nepal.
MCC Chief Jonathan Nash and Nepal FM Karki signed US$ 500 compact program
Today, Sept 14, 2017, Jonathan Nash from the US government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and Nepal’s Finance Minister Karki signed the compact program aid of US $ 500 million, making Nepal the newest partner of MCC. The program is expected to “spur economic growth” in Nepal by investing on power transmission and roads.
ADB is providing US$ 152 million to Nepal’s power projects and policy loans
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to provide 152 million US dollars for the implementation of Power Transmission and Distribution Efficiency Enhancement Project. The Bank has also agreed to provide 21 million US dollars policy based assistance to the Government of Nepal in the area of trade and customs.
WWF and Coca-Cola Foundation are working on sustainable use of water resources in Nepal
Wild Life Fund and the Coca-Cola Foundation together are promoting sustainable use of water, enhance livelihoods of local communities and conserve freshwater ecosystem in Nepal. Their project will be on the river Indrawati’s sub-basin.
PM Deuba: timely and peaceful election is his government’s priority
Nepal’s PM Sher Bahadur Deuba said that the government is making the necessary preparations for conducting the local level election in Province No 2 that had been postponed due to the Madhesi protest, and the election of state assembly and House of Representatives in a free, fair and fear-free environment.
Details
US Ambassador to Nepal: “sustainable economic growth in Nepal, top priority”
Ambassador Alaina Teplitz argues that Nepal must have a vision for its future growth apart from working on legislation and reforms, and that Nepal “must support innovation and entrepreneurship to become a middle income nation by 2030.
Nepal-India sign 8 MOUs during the PM Deuba’s State Visit to India
Nepal and India have signed eight Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) during the visit of Prime Minister Sher Bdr. Deuba to India. Four of these MoUs are about post-quake reconstruction in Nepal.
Monsoon flooding and landslides already claimed 49, several missing
Continuous heavy rain in Nepal since Friday has claimed 49 lives. In different parts of the country highways are obstructed, bridges have sunk, thousands of houses are submerged, hundreds of tourists are stranded in Chitwan, airports are inundated. People are disappointed with the government’s response. The long-standing issue of India’s control over the damns in the south has again re-surfaced as most parts of southern Nepal are submerged. (08/13/2017)
US supports two historical sites restoration in Kathmandu
The US’ Ambassador Fund for Cultural Preservations (AFCP) is financing $500, 000 to restore the Kaiser Mahal Palace, a neo-classical building from the Rana era, and the Char Narayan temple, a medieval Malla dynasty era’s architectural jewel, in Kathmandu Nepal. (08/13/2017)
BIMSTEC Ministers met in Kathmandu
Bay of Bengal Initiatives for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) foreign ministers level meetings were just held in Kathmandu, Nepal, which is the current chair of this sub-regional grouping. The foreign ministers of BIMSTEC countries Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan participated in the Kathmandu meeting. According to the MEA Mahara of Nepal, the meeting made decisions on 8 issue areas: at the earliest possible complete the BIMSTEC Free Trade Agreement, sign the Grid Connection Agreement, agree on Technology transfer and trade facilitation, vehicle transit agreement, terrorism conventions and poverty alleviation programs, and form a BIMSTEC Center and an eminent advisory group. Nepal will hold the BIMSTEC Summit 2018. (08/11/2018)
“We stay neutral” on Doklam Standoff – Minister of External Affairs, Nepal
Nepal’s Minister of External Affairs, and Deputy Prime Minister, Krishna Bahadur Mahara (a close aide of Maoist Supremo Prachanda) said that Nepal will “stay neutral” in the Doklam standoff between India (for Bhutan) and China. He said that Nepal is asking both parties to resolve the dispute peacefully. Amidst growing skepticism about Nepal’s position on the issue, Minister Mahara stated the official position during a press conference today at the MEA office. The upcoming visits of Indian MEA Swaraj and China’s deputy MEA Yang are being seen as closely related to the Doklam standoff, which Mahara denies. However, both Indian and Chinese embassies in Kathmandu are putting expressing their stands on the issue with the MEA in Kathmandu. (From Vernacular Kantipur; 08/07/2017)
Nepal-India Belahiya border point resembling the 2015 border blockade
India’s act of putting ad-hoc security checking last week without any good reason at the Nepal-India Belahiya transit point has restricted the passage to thousands of vehicles passing through the border daily reminding of the 2015 border blockade. The fact that India is deploying very few personnel to conduct the security checking of every vehicle passing through the border, especially those entering India from Nepal as opposed to those entering Nepal, has caused huge disruption in the local business and industries, even affected the import export reducing the state revenue collection. (Source: Setopati; 08/06/2017)s
Maoist Supremo Prachanda’s daughter Renu wins the Mayor of a municipality near KTM
In the second round of polls in Bharatpur, Nepal, Prachanda’s daughter Renu Dahal from the Moaist Center defeats the UML candidate by just over 200 votes to become the Mayor of Bharatpur Municipality, a town 70 miles away from the capital Kathmandu. The polls were canceled in the first round as UML and Maoist supporters started fighting over the cause of tearing ballots. The Maoist Center and Nepali Congress had an election coalition there which was seen as very unusual in the country, particularly the Nepali Congress was criticized for this coalition. Similarly, Prachanda was also condemned for having his daughter run for elections. (08/05/2017)
Nepal government accepts US government MCC’s investment aid proposal
Nepal’s Council of Ministers today decided to accept MCC’s aid to build transmission lines and roads. Two governments will ink the deal next month which will enable Nepal to receive the biggest aid amount from a single agreement so far. MCC will build 300 kms of roads with international standard in the east and the west of Nepal. Nepalese experts expect that the MCC’s transmission lines construction will enable the electricity connectivity between Nepal, India and China. 08/03/2017; Source: BBC Nepali
Nepal Army is changing its structure to fit with the federal structure of the country
In order to adapt to the newly established federal structure of the country, the Nepal Army is changing itself into a new structure in terms of its organization and operation. The Army is doing so as per the decision of the ministerial council convened ahead of the first local elections. In the new structure, there will be one military division in each federal province which will function as headquarters there. While there will be no increase in the size of the army or positions, the new structure will add two new divisions (from existing 6 to 8) in the southern Tarai-Madhesh region, in the provinces 2 and 5. (Source: Vernacular Kantipur , August 2, 2017)
High level visits from both India and China
Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj is arriving in Kathmandu on 10 August to attend BIMSTEC ministerial reunion. Similarly, China’s vice-premier Zhang Gaoli is landing in the capital Kathmandu on 14 August on a 3-day visit.
Carter Center interested in upcoming polls observations in Nepal
Carter Center’s application was denied by the Election Commission in Nepal for the recently conducted local elections as according to DC there is no such provisions to allow international observers for local level elections. But now for the upcoming central and provincial level elections, Carter Center has renewed its call for election observations.
US Millennium Challenge Corporation delegates visit Nepal to discuss compact program provisions
US government has pledged through its Millennium Challenge Corporation(MCC) $500 million to fund electricity and road projects, the biggest US pledge so far on Nepal’s infrastructure development. Now the MCC delegates led by Fatema Sumar are in Kathmandu to discuss the “compact program” provisions with the PM Sher Bdr. Deuba.
ICAO removes Nepal aviation from the black list
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has removed Nepal from the list of serious security concerns (SSC) list. The ICAO took the fresh move based on progress evaluation of the civil aviation sector’s progress in Nepal since 2013.
The biggest corruption case filed in Nepal
The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) arrested Director General at the Inland Revenue Department, Chudamani Sharma, accusing him of corruption on fixation of revenue.
US Embassy Organized Everest International Model United Nations
The US Embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal in partnership with Youth Thinkers’ Society, has organized the 4th Everest International Model United Nations. 200 delegates from 15 South and Central Asian countries are in Kathmandu.
National and Provincial federal elections to be announced soon
Nepalese Prime Minister, the president of the Nepali Congress party, says he will announce the date for two level federal elections, at central and provincial levels, soon. He emphasizes the conduct of these remaining two level of elections is critical as it is the constitutional imperative for Nepal.
Nepal Matters for America 