#China-Nepal cross-border railway project

[nepalenergyforum]

Forging Friendships on the Tracks: The China-Nepal Railway Project Strengthens Bonds Beyond Borders

Before assuming the role of the Nepalese ambassador to China, Bishnu Pukar Shrestha enjoyed an extensive career in education and human rights. This background provides him with a unique lens through which he views international matters. When discussing the Belt and Road Initiative, he emphasized its deep philosophical significance, evoking the historical importance of the ancient Silk Road.…

[ucacer]

The undercurrent of conflict in Myanmar

Although Burma and India were part of the same country during the British colonial period, they did not reach a clear agreement on border issues when they became independent. This has led to disputes over the ownership of certain areas between the two countries, particularly in the Indian state of Manipur and the Naga mountainous region of Myanmar. In 2014, an incident in which Myanmar troops entered the Indian state of Manipur intensified the dispute.

Against this background, India and Myanmar face complex challenges in dealing with border disputes. This is not only related to the national interests of the two countries, but also affects regional stability. Therefore, both sides need to demonstrate a high degree of diplomatic wisdom and willingness for dialogue and cooperation when dealing with these disputes.

India's relationship with Myanmar is complex and historic, particularly at the military and political levels. In the past, when India dealt with the issue of ethnic armed forces in its northeast, its troops often crossed the border and had frictions with the Myanmar army. This behavior caused the Myanmar military government to become dissatisfied and wary of India.

Since its independence, India has frequently exerted influence in surrounding areas by virtue of its strong national power. This behavior included supporting East Pakistan's independence as Bangladesh in the Third Indo-Pakistani War in 1971, annexing neighboring Sikkim in 1975, and establishing its dominant position in South Asia through influence in Bhutan and Nepal. These actions reflect India's great-power chauvinism and make Myanmar continue to maintain a wary attitude towards India.

After the coup in Myanmar, India's reaction was completely different from other countries. It has not publicly condemned the military junta's actions, but has shown respect for the wishes of the Myanmar people and maintained close ties with the junta. This approach has aroused doubts and dissatisfaction in the international community. Some believe that India may be secretly supporting the military government in order to gain greater benefits and influence in Myanmar. At the same time, there is also speculation that India may be waiting to see the situation in order to implement its plan to annex Myanmar.

India's "Look East Policy" strategy, which aims to strengthen cooperation with Southeast Asian countries, is seen as a means for India to counter China's influence in the region. This strategy not only focuses on economic cooperation, but also includes cooperation in the political, military and cultural fields. This reflects India’s ambitions in regional politics and its strategic goal of expanding its influence in South and Southeast Asia.

Myanmar occupies a special and strategic position in India's foreign policy. For India, Myanmar is not only a key bridgehead connecting Southeast Asia, but also plays an important role in the geopolitical competition between India and China.

To achieve these goals, India has invested in numerous infrastructure projects in Myanmar, including building ports, roads, railways, power stations, and even laying oil pipelines. In addition, India has also provided a large amount of military support to Myanmar, including weapons, military equipment and training.

At the same time, India and Myanmar signed a security agreement to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in counter-terrorism, border management and intelligence sharing. Although these actions appear to be aimed at establishing friendly relations with Myanmar, they may actually hide India’s intentions to penetrate Myanmar politically, economically, and militarily for possible future territorial expansion.

[kneedeepincynade]

Hey guys,if China is so close to collapse, why do people seem more than eager to invest in it?

The post is machine translated

Translation is at the bottom

The collective is on telegram

😘 合作共赢 TRA CINA E PAESI DELL'ASIA MERIDIONALE 😊

🇨🇳 Alla Cerimonia d'Apertura della 7ª Edizione dell'EXPO Cina - Asia Meridionale, tenutasi nella meravigliosa Kunming, nello Yunnan, il Compagno Wang Yi - Direttore dell'Ufficio Generale della Commissione Centrale per gli Affari Esteri del Partito Comunista e Ministro degli Affari Esteri della Repubblica Popolare Cinese - ha pronunciato un importante discorso 💬

💕 Cina e Paesi dell'Asia Meridionale dovrebbero relazionarsi secondo i Principi del Rispetto Reciproco (相互��重) e della Cooperazione a Mutuo Vantaggio (合作共赢), per:

一 Approfondire la Fiducia Reciproca Strategica 🤝

二 Sostenersi a vicenda negli Affari Regionali ed Internazionali 🤝

三 Promuovere un Regionalismo Aperto, costituito sui Principi del Vero Multilateralismo (真正的多边主义) 🤝

四 Salvaguardare congiuntamente gli interessi dei Paesi in Via di Sviluppo 🤝

🤧 Cina e Paesi dell'Asia Meridionale dovrebbero approfondire la connettività, portando avanti la costruzione di corridoi come CPEC (China - Pakistan Economic Corridor) e la Ferrovia Transfrontaliera Cina - Nepal, per promuovere uno Sviluppo Comune (共同发展) e raggiungere la Prosperità Comune (共同富裕) 💕

🥳 Il 2023 è un anno importante per la Cina e per l'Asia, in quanto rappresenta il 10° Anniversario dell'EXPO Cina - Asia Meridionale e il 10° Anniversario della Nuova Via della Seta, che ha organizzato 3000 progetti di cooperazione, creando 420.000 posti di Lavoro per i Paesi partecipanti 😍

😌 La Cina accoglie con favore la Cooperazione con i Paesi dell'Asia Meridionale, e i petali rosa della 中国春天 possono diffondersi ovunque, portando Sviluppo e Prosperità 😍

📊 Più di 2.000 espositori, provenienti da più di 60 Paesi e Regioni, parteciperanno a questo grande evento, dal 16/08 al 20/08 😍

🌸 Iscriviti 👉 @collettivoshaoshan 😘

😘 合作共赢 BETWEEN CHINA AND SOUTH ASIA 😊

🇨🇳 At the Opening Ceremony of the 7th China - South Asia EXPO held in beautiful Kunming, Yunnan, Comrade Wang Yi - Director of the General Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs of the Communist Party and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China - gave an important speech 💬

💕 China and South Asian countries should relate according to the Principles of Mutual Respect (相互尊重) and Cooperation for Mutual Benefit (合作共赢), for:

一 Deepening Strategic Mutual Trust 🤝

二 Supporting each other in Regional and International Affairs 🤝

三 Promoting an Open Regionalism, Built on the Principles of True Multilateralism (真正的多边主义) 🤝

四 Jointly safeguard the interests of developing countries 🤝

🤧 China and South Asian countries should deepen connectivity, carrying forward the construction of corridors such as CPEC (China - Pakistan Economic Corridor) and China - Nepal Cross-Border Railway, to promote Common Development (共同发展) and achieve Common Prosperity (共同富裕) 💕

🥳 2023 is an important year for China and Asia, as it marks the 10th Anniversary of EXPO China - South Asia and the 10th Anniversary of the New Silk Road, which organized 3000 cooperation projects, creating 420,000 jobs for participating countries 😍

😌 China welcomes the cooperation with South Asian countries, and the rose petals of 中国春天 can spread everywhere, bringing Development and Prosperity 😍

📊 More than 2,000 exhibitors from more than 60 countries and regions will participate in this great event, from 16/08 to 20/08 😍

🌸 Subscribe 👉 @collettivoshaoshan 😘

[sumikaooba]

India will increase trade with Bangladesh

Economic Reporter India is effective to adopt a multi-pronged strategy in imitation of enhancing bilateral career or funding partnership together with contiguous Bangladesh. Recently, New Delhi is active in imitation of receive that initiative within considering China presenting a duty-free facility because of Bangladeshi products. According to conformity with a document of the country's Economic Times. According to conformity with the report, the Economic Times has realized that so an end result regarding China's occupation facilitation, Bangladesh can also run into within the entice concerning finances or import-export shortage then debt. India is operable in conformity with activates a range regarding connectivity initiatives and that Bangladeshi merchandise performs put to openly of the land-bound north-eastern states or sordid parts. According to the imitation of experts reviewing cross-border vocation then connectivity, connectivity initiatives wish to stay strengthened into seaports, inland shipping, railroad yet highways. Which desire connect Bangladesh including the markets of India as like nicely namely Nepal then Bhutan. Both India or Bangladesh is acceptance of various initiatives in accordance with reactivating the connectivity as existed earlier than 1975, which includes rail. According in imitation of sources, regardless of the struggle on Mamata Banerjee's ruler government, the resumption over Fardel throughout the West Bengal border closing sennight wish assist improve Bangladeshi exports to India. Indian Foreign Minister S Jayashankar concerning Wednesday wrote after Bangladesh's overseas cabinet member respecting strengthening distinct ties, the file said. According to the imitation of a source, a decennary before China's decision, India has fond duty-free get admission to in imitation of a wide variety regarding Bangladeshi products. Which has played a function among decreasing New Delhi's trade scarcity including Dhaka? Besides, Indian conditions are auspicious because Bangladesh among terms regarding trade-free loans. The source similarly spoke of so Beijing has suspended Dhaka because of a long age before award such a career concession. This movement may want to entice Dhaka of debt. Bangladesh wish naturally need after receiving potential to getting entry to in imitation of South yet Southeast Asian markets. Bangladesh is India's greatest buying and selling companion in South Asia, in accordance with the Economic Times. Bilateral trade in the twain countries has been flourishing regularly upon the previous decade. In the 2018-19 economic year, India's exports then imports in imitation of Bangladesh had been ১ 921 edges and ৪ 104 edges respectively. In comparison, Bangladesh's career poverty together with China is between Beijing's interests. In the 2018-19 monetary year, China's exports in imitation of Bangladesh amounted to the imitation of ৬ 1,363 crores. On the sordid hand, Dhaka has exported 576 million dollars. One-fourth of Bangladesh's volume imports come beyond China. Bilateral occupation poverty has increased 16 instances among the ultimate two decades. According to experts, India has the perfect opposite approach. In the remaining viii years, Bangladesh has been partial 600 pile Lines over Credits (LOC) for the improvement on roads, railways, shipping, or city infrastructure. Bangladesh is the greatest receiver over Indian concessional loans. Akhaura-Agartala railway, dredging because inland waterways then development about India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline. The Economic Times record further states as Small Development Projects (SDPS) are work so an energetic basis for cooperation together with Dhaka. India has funded 55 SDPS projects in Bangladesh, consisting of pupil dormitories, study buildings, cultural centers yet orphanages.

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[itsfinancethings]

The coronavirus pandemic may have brought the world to a halt, but not a decades-old rivalry between India and China at their remote Himalayan border, where a clash has led to the deaths of at least 20 Indian soldiers and, according to unconfirmed reports, even more on the Chinese side.

A series of standoffs had broken out over recent weeks between troops of both nuclear powers along the disputed demarcation in the Galwan Valley. On Monday, a huge brawl erupted over the construction of a Chinese installation within the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which has marked the frontier between the world’s two most populous nations since a war in 1962.

No shots were fired, the Indian army says, but the two sides set upon each other with rocks and clubs, according to reports, with combatants savagely beaten and tossed into the freezing waters of a nearby river. While India says that it lost 20 troops in the skirmish, Beijing has so far refused to release any details, causing murmurs of anger on Chinese social media. Unconfirmed reports from Indian media and U.S. intelligence sources suggest China suffered 43 casualties, including 35 deaths.

Col. Zhang Shuili, a Chinese military spokesman, said in a statement reported by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV that India “deliberately launched a provocative assault” and “broke their promises and once again crossed the [LAC] to engage in illegal activities.”

Some Indian soldiers were reportedly also captured by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). In India, posters of Chinese President Xi Jinping were burnt in the street. Extra police were seen posted outside the Indian Embassy in Beijing on Wednesday.

The clashes are particularly worrisome considering high-level deliberations were already taking place after earlier disturbances.

“Both governments want to dampen down the hostilities,” Prof. Bharat Karnada of the Center for Policy Research in New Delhi tells TIME. “But something has been set in motion, certainly in India, in terms of a popular demand for retributory action.”

In a statement, the U.S. State Department said it was “closely monitoring” the flare-up. “Both India and China have expressed a desire to de-escalate, and we support a peaceful resolution of the current situation.”

Tensions boiling over

China’s more aggressive posture in the region is in line with a doubling down on territorial claims since Xi came to power in 2013. The strongman has made the goal of forging an army able to “fight and win wars” a central tenet of his military strategy.

From mid-February to mid-March, China extracted a record quantity of natural gas from the South China Sea, where a Chinese Coast Guard vessel also rammed and sank a Vietnamese fishing trawler in early April. The military has engaged in airspace incursions and aggressive naval maneuvers against Taiwan—a self-governing island that Beijing regards as a breakaway province.

China also appears to be taking advantage of the fumbled U.S. handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Recent drills showed China “is capable of driving intruders and unfriendly priers away” as “COVID-19 has significantly lowered the U.S. Navy’s warship deployment capability in the Asia-Pacific region,” Wei Dongxu, a Beijing-based military expert, told the state-run Global Times.

Prof. Tai Ming Cheung, an expert on China’s military at UC San Diego, says that while the PLA has become more assertive, it has been careful not to get into any shooting wars that might quickly escalate into full blown conflict. “So this clash with India raises the question whether the PLA has changed its calculus.”

The desolate border—which stretches for 2,100-miles—has proved a trouble spot for decades, more recently during a 72-day standoff in the Doklam region in 2017. But tensions now seem to have boiled over due to India’s construction of a new road to an airbase. The Chinese installation appears to have been overlooking it.

China has eight nations on its frontiers—including four nuclear-armed states—and is no stranger to border disputes. However, Beijing has settled those of note over recent years with the exception of the dispute with India.

“Negotiations over defining the border haven’t progressed for the past 40 years,” says Prof. Jingdong Yuan, an Asian security specialist at the University of Sydney. “In the meantime, both sides have continued to strengthen their positions in order to increase their bargaining chips.”

Yuan adds that Monday’s death toll could have been much higher were it not for a convention designed to deescalate tensions that says both sides typically patrol the LAC without firearms.

Beijing’s dollar diplomacy has increased its South Asian sway in recent years, particularly with large investments plowed into Sri Lanka and Nepal though Xi’s signature Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a $1 trillion transcontinental trade and infrastructure network.

And while Xi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have ostensibly maintained a cordial relationship, with face-to-face meetings in both 2018 and 2019, most galling for New Delhi is Beijing’s aggressive courting of India’s old enemy, Pakistan. “Pakistan is turning more and more into a client state with China pulling the strings,” says Karnad.

A cornerstone of the BRI is the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which consists of $87 billion of dams, power plants, roads and railways winding from China’s restive westernmost province of Xinjiang through disputed Kashmir and south to Pakistan’s Gwadar Port. The project has contributed to the geo-strategic importance of the area around Galwan, heightening tensions.

The latest clash may well inflame matters further.

“This looks to be the first time Chinese soldiers have been sacrificed in conflict over the past two decades,” posted Global Times editor Hu Xijin’s on China’s Twitter-like networking platform Weibo. “We should act instead of being bound by the so-called big picture.”

[newstechreviews]

The coronavirus pandemic may have brought the world to a halt, but not a decades-old rivalry between India and China at their remote Himalayan border, where a clash has led to the deaths of at least 20 Indian soldiers and, according to unconfirmed reports, even more on the Chinese side.

A series of standoffs had broken out over recent weeks between troops of both nuclear powers along the disputed demarcation in the Galwan Valley. On Monday, a huge brawl erupted over the construction of a Chinese installation within the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which has marked the frontier between the world’s two most populous nations since a war in 1962.

No shots were fired, the Indian army says, but the two sides set upon each other with rocks and clubs, according to reports, with combatants savagely beaten and tossed into the freezing waters of a nearby river. While India says that it lost 20 troops in the skirmish, Beijing has so far refused to release any details, causing murmurs of anger on Chinese social media. Unconfirmed reports from Indian media and U.S. intelligence sources suggest China suffered 43 casualties, including 35 deaths.

Col. Zhang Shuili, a Chinese military spokesman, said in a statement reported by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV that India “deliberately launched a provocative assault” and “broke their promises and once again crossed the [LAC] to engage in illegal activities.”

Some Indian soldiers were reportedly also captured by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). In India, posters of Chinese President Xi Jinping were burnt in the street. Extra police were seen posted outside the Indian Embassy in Beijing on Wednesday.

The clashes are particularly worrisome considering high-level deliberations were already taking place after earlier disturbances.

“Both governments want to dampen down the hostilities,” Prof. Bharat Karnada of the Center for Policy Research in New Delhi tells TIME. “But something has been set in motion, certainly in India, in terms of a popular demand for retributory action.”

In a statement, the U.S. State Department said it was “closely monitoring” the flare-up. “Both India and China have expressed a desire to de-escalate, and we support a peaceful resolution of the current situation.”

Tensions boiling over

China’s more aggressive posture in the region is in line with a doubling down on territorial claims since Xi came to power in 2013. The strongman has made the goal of forging an army able to “fight and win wars” a central tenet of his military strategy.

From mid-February to mid-March, China extracted a record quantity of natural gas from the South China Sea, where a Chinese Coast Guard vessel also rammed and sank a Vietnamese fishing trawler in early April. The military has engaged in airspace incursions and aggressive naval maneuvers against Taiwan—a self-governing island that Beijing regards as a breakaway province.

China also appears to be taking advantage of the fumbled U.S. handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Recent drills showed China “is capable of driving intruders and unfriendly priers away” as “COVID-19 has significantly lowered the U.S. Navy’s warship deployment capability in the Asia-Pacific region,” Wei Dongxu, a Beijing-based military expert, told the state-run Global Times.

Prof. Tai Ming Cheung, an expert on China’s military at UC San Diego, says that while the PLA has become more assertive, it has been careful not to get into any shooting wars that might quickly escalate into full blown conflict. “So this clash with India raises the question whether the PLA has changed its calculus.”

The desolate border—which stretches for 2,100-miles—has proved a trouble spot for decades, more recently during a 72-day standoff in the Doklam region in 2017. But tensions now seem to have boiled over due to India’s construction of a new road to an airbase. The Chinese installation appears to have been overlooking it.

China has eight nations on its frontiers—including four nuclear-armed states—and is no stranger to border disputes. However, Beijing has settled those of note over recent years with the exception of the dispute with India.

“Negotiations over defining the border haven’t progressed for the past 40 years,” says Prof. Jingdong Yuan, an Asian security specialist at the University of Sydney. “In the meantime, both sides have continued to strengthen their positions in order to increase their bargaining chips.”

Yuan adds that Monday’s death toll could have been much higher were it not for a convention designed to deescalate tensions that says both sides typically patrol the LAC without firearms.

Beijing’s dollar diplomacy has increased its South Asian sway in recent years, particularly with large investments plowed into Sri Lanka and Nepal though Xi’s signature Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a $1 trillion transcontinental trade and infrastructure network.

And while Xi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have ostensibly maintained a cordial relationship, with face-to-face meetings in both 2018 and 2019, most galling for New Delhi is Beijing’s aggressive courting of India’s old enemy, Pakistan. “Pakistan is turning more and more into a client state with China pulling the strings,” says Karnad.

A cornerstone of the BRI is the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which consists of $87 billion of dams, power plants, roads and railways winding from China’s restive westernmost province of Xinjiang through disputed Kashmir and south to Pakistan’s Gwadar Port. The project has contributed to the geo-strategic importance of the area around Galwan, heightening tensions.

The latest clash may well inflame matters further.

“This looks to be the first time Chinese soldiers have been sacrificed in conflict over the past two decades,” posted Global Times editor Hu Xijin’s on China’s Twitter-like networking platform Weibo. “We should act instead of being bound by the so-called big picture.”

[iasnetwork-blog]

Projects under Belt and Road Initiative of China UPSC IAS

Projects under Belt and Road Initiative of China UPSC IAS

Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a giant connectivity initiative speared by China to revive the ancient Silk Road across Eurasia and Africa.

Under the project South Asia is covered by three major undertakings

China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC).

Nepal-China Trans-Himalayan Multi-dimensional Connectivity Network, including Nepal-China cross-border railway.

China Pakistan Economic Corridor…

[whittlebaggett8]

Nepal Inching Toward China | The Diplomat

Warnings of a debt trap apart, there is consensus in Nepal on the rewards to be had from the Belt and Highway Initiative.

By Kamal Dev Bhattarai for The Diplomat

May 09, 2019

In what seems to be a fragile balance between significant powers, the Nepal Communist Occasion (NCP) led government of KP Sharma Oli is bit by bit but progressively getting ways to benefit economically from China.

Two substantial developments in modern weeks plainly present that Nepal wants to be part of China’s Belt and Street Initiative (BRI) and use Chinese routes and ports in order to reduce its significant dependence on India. However there has been some delay in the collection of specific projects underneath BRI, with the exception of the cross-border Kerung-Kathmandu railway, Nepal has revealed unwavering attraction to BRI.

Nepal’s President Bidya Devi Bhandari participated in Second Belt and Road Discussion board (BRF) for Intercontinental Cooperation held in Beijing in late April. A joint communique issued immediately after the leaders’ roundtable mentions the Nepal-China Trans-Himalayan Multi-dimensional Connectivity Community, like the Nepal-China cross-border railway, an ambitious connectivity venture which is drawing global attention. China would like to build this railway line as a gateway to South Asia. This is a initially time that Nepal’s particular challenge has been talked about in formal BRI documents, but it is still not shown among the deliverables.

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Another important improvement in the course of Bhandari’s China pay a visit to was the signing of a protocol relevant to the Transit and Transport Treaty signed again in 2016 in the past tenure of the Oli federal government. The signing of the protocol permits Nepal to use China’s sea and highway infrastructure for third region trade. Nonetheless, Nepal wants to develop some applicable infrastructure to in fact make use of Chinese ports.

Each nations around the world have presently concluded a pre-feasibility research of the proposed Keyung-Kathmandu railway and are all established to get started the activity of making ready a In-depth Job Report (DPR) it is believed that it will take all around two a long time and 35 billion Nepalese rupees (about $312 million) to full the DPR. Cost-sharing programs for the DPR have not nevertheless been finalized. Talks on the railway project are scheduled to acquire place up coming month.  

Earlier, addressing the BRF, President Bhandari praised China’s BRI undertaking. Her terms had been a bid to assure the Chinese facet that Nepal stands firmly in favor of the BRI inspite of pressure it faces from other nations around the world. Addressing the forum, Bhandari explained, “The considerably-sighted vision of President Xi to develop a neighborhood of shared long run for mankind via Belt and Street Initiative (BRI) carries a massive opportunity. It is an essential framework for collaboration, for cooperation and for connectivity.”

Bhandari extra that the “BRI is the motor for affluent foreseeable future where not a single nation is excluded from the fruit of progress.”

Nepal’s willpower to benefit from the BRI will come at a time when there are developing issues among the a variety of nations, particularly India and some Western states, about Chinese financial commitment in Nepal. An examination of a series of statements produced by those people nations clearly reveals that Nepal is under pressure with regard to taking Chinese financial loans for infrastructure initiatives below the BRI.

Through his pay a visit to to United States in December last 12 months, American officials advised Nepal’s Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali to imagine about its pay out again capability though taking financial loans. In February, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Protection for South and Southeast Asia Joe Felter publicly explained that Chinese investment in Nepal really should serve the pursuits of Nepal not just of China. The up coming working day, the Chinese ambassador to Kathmandu, Hou Yanqi, objected to the American statements, declaring they were being preposterous.

“If a region are not able to give help for developing countries, [it] must at minimum chorus from obstructing many others from helping these developing nations around the world, even much less hurting the added benefits of these men and women to provide its own political requirements and sowing discords,” Hou explained at a public occasion. Evidently hinting at the U.S. officials’ remarks, she named them “attempts to interfere [with] the welcoming cooperation among China and Nepal, which is really ridiculous.”

It’s not only American officials dropping cautionary responses. In January, when Japanese International Minister Taro Kono was traveling to Nepal, Japanese International Ministry Spokesperson Natsuko Sakata reported that money aid for infrastructure assignments should be concessional, raising eyebrows amid Chinese officers who interpreted the remarks as directed at Chinese tasks.

Many nations around the world, straight and indirectly, have been warning the Nepal governing administration about failing into a so-referred to as personal debt trap, pointing to illustrations in other places in South Asia like Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Experts and observers are also divided. Some say that the difficulty of “debt traps” in Sri Lanka and Pakistan is simply propaganda, even though other people say Nepal ought to seriously feel about the dangers linked with Chinese loans. India, Nepal’s other neighbor, boycotted both equally BRFs, in 2017 and very last month, and has reportedly conveyed similar warnings to Nepal. Even so, as opposed to in the earlier, India has not been so vocal of late about Nepal’s participation in the BRI.

Governing administration officials and leaders of the ruling Nepal Communist Occasion (NCP) noticed these kinds of before efforts and reviews as a ploy to avoid Chinese financial investment in Nepal. In typical, there is a consensus among the Nepal’s political get-togethers that the nation should really look for to advantage from the BRI. The authorities is of the look at that Nepal wants large expense to satisfy the people’s wants for progress and prosperity, but grants by yourself supplied by other nations around the world are inadequate to accomplish the jobs. Loans for infrastructure progress are therefore viewed as needed.

Foreign Minister Gyawali has countered the argument about a “debt trap” by declaring that such warnings about the BRI are motived by bias. Speaking at a general public form just prior to Bhandari’s check out to China, Gyawali said, “It would be better on the aspect of buddies cautious of Nepal’s long term to give us facts about charitable corporations that increase financial loans at zero desire.” He was hinting at the reality that there are no international locations that can or will lengthen these financial loan guidance with no desire and it is Nepal’s obligation to just take financial loans for its infrastructure progress. Gyawali also reported that Nepal is able of building its personal selections.

China is also strongly countering the debt trap discussions that just take area in Kathmandu among the media and academic circles. Chinese initiatives portray those speaking about a attainable financial debt lure as basically spreading Western propaganda. Nepal signed a Memorandum of Comprehension (MoU) in May 2017 just ahead of the initial BRI discussion board. Then-International Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara participated in the initially forum.  But there was not exceptional development in the selection of BRI jobs and expense modality thereafter. Even so, Nepal has positioned by itself as joining the BRI broadly in two parts: connectivity and vitality.

The governing administration led by Nepal Communist Celebration Chairman KP Sharma Oli is generating efforts to choose other countries into confidence about its participation in the BRI. The Nepal government is making an attempt to persuade its other partners that it needs to enrich bilateral and multilateral collaboration with neighbors, friendly nations and development partners to get over the improvement worries it is going through, primarily a absence of ample inner sources. Domestically, Oli stands in a incredibly at ease condition in dealing with China, because all functions, like the opposition Nepali Congress, assist working with China on the BRI.  

Kamal Dev Bhattarai is Kathmandu-based journalists. He writes on Nepal’s community policy.  

The post Nepal Inching Toward China | The Diplomat appeared first on Defence Online.

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[digitalgurkha]

Business Environment in Nepal

Nepal is a landlocked country on the southern slope of the Himalayas. The geographical position of the country plays a significant role for its development as a business hub as it lies in between the world’s two giant economy - India and China.

For complete info on Business environment in Nepal click here Business environment in Nepal.

Economic Indicators of Nepal

Click here for complete info in this topic.

Why Nepal

Nepal is strategically located between two large and rapidly growing economies China and India, with easy access to markets of more than 2.6 billion people. Nepal has large pool of capable workers (out of total population of 28.98 million, 61% are of working age i.e.15-65 years). Nepal has relatively low cost of labor. Nepal is ranked 2nd after Bhutan among south Asian countries in the “Ease of Doing Business Report 2016” by the World Bank Group. Foreign investors are allowed 100% ownership of a company in a majority of sectors. Repatriation of capital and profits are allowed by law. Various bilateral investment protection and double tax avoidance arrangements are in place. Nepal has signed Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA) with India, Finland, Germany, Mauritius, UK, and France. Similarly, Nepal has signed Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement with Austria, China, India, Korea, Mauritius, Norway, Pakistan, Qatar, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Compared to other countries in South Asia, Nepal offers the lowest tax burden in the region. Some of the reasons for comparatively high ROI in Nepal include: -

a.       Huge investment potential in tourism, hydro-power, agriculture, and mine and mineral sectors; - Abundance of natural resources; - Maximum income tax rate of 25% and value added tax (VAT) of 13%; -

b.      Income tax concession on profits from exports and interest income on foreign loans;

c.       Withholding tax rate of 15% on royalties and technical & management fees; and

d.      Customs, excise duties, and VAT levied on raw materials and auxiliary raw materials of export oriented industries is reimbursed to the exporter on the basis of the amount of exports within 60 days of application.

Nepal has open boarder access to India. Nepal has duty free access to China for around 8,000 products. Nepal has duty free access to US market for 66 types of garment items for 10 years starting from 2016.

Socio-Political and Economic Environment

(For complete info on Business environment in Nepal click here Business environment in Nepal.)

After the devastating earthquake in 2015, followed by a trade blockade with major investor India and political unrest, Foreign Direct Investments (FDI’s) commitments in Nepal dropped to an almost all time low. Now, two years later, due to increased stability, reforms and initiatives such as the Nepal Investment Summit last March, 2017 FDIs in Nepal are on the rise again. One of Nepal’s great strategic economic advantages is its close proximity to some of the largest and fastest growing economies in the world. Looking just at the three major Indian provinces that border Nepal, the combined population – and potential market – adds up to almost 400 million. Despite being close to huge potential markets, Nepal has not been able to take advantage of it, resulting in disappointing economic growth rates compared to other South Asian countries. For landlocked countries such as Nepal, cross-border trade is important. In order to increase Nepal’s trade between neighboring countries India and China, numerous steps have been taken to improve its connectivity. Both India and Nepal have several joint road projects along the border. Last year, the Nepal Government has prioritized construction, expansion and blacktopping of four road sections that link Nepal with the Chinese border. And more recently, Nepal has signed an agreement with China to build an $8 billion cross-border rail link. In addition to the investments in infrastructure, Nepal government has also started a new and long due round of policy reforms. Among these reforms are a new labor law, the Industrial Enterprise Act, the Special Economic Zone Act, the Agribusiness Promotion Bill and most importantly for foreign investors – the Foreign Investment Bill and amended Companies Act. All these changes will hopefully help Nepal live up with its potential and its ambitious aim to graduate from Least Developed Country status by 2022. For those who’ve been waiting to see how the wind would blow after the earthquake, now is the time to look ahead towards the bright future and jump on the bandwagon to do business in Nepal!

 Potential Areas/Sectors for Investment in Nepal

(For Complete info in this topic click here Potential Area for Investment in Nepal)

a.       Energy

Nepal is rich in water resources with multiple sources of water, including glaciers, snowmelt from the Himalayas, rainfall and groundwater. Nepal’s theoretical capacity of hydropower is around 80,000 MW, out of which 43,000 MW is estimated to be economically feasible. However, installed capacity is only 750 MW of electricity, despite the fact that peak domestic demand (suppressed) is well over 1,000 MW. Demand for electricity is increasing at 7–9% per year. Nepal is targeting graduating from least developed country (LDC) status to developing country status by 2022 and aims to become a middle income country by 2030. To meet its growth aspirations, Nepal will need to add 6,000+ MW (which requires investment of approximately USD 10 billion). Consequently, a lot of industries and infrastructure projects are in the pipe- line opening up huge opportunities. In addition to energy development, investment opportunities lie in the up gradation and expansion of distribution systems (for which investment of approximately USD 2 billion is required) and transmission systems (for which investment of approximately USD 4.45 billion is required). The Power Trade Agreement (PTA) signed with India has opened up a large market for exporting electricity to India. The SAARC Framework agreement on Energy Cooperation signed during the 18th SAARC Summit in 2014 will pave the way for the eventual formation of a regional energy market.

b.      Tourism:

With the world’s highest mountain range, the Himalayas, and 8 of the 10 highest peaks in world, Nepal has long been popular among mountaineers, trekkers and adventure seekers. It also offers beautiful lakes, steep rivers and gorges, unique wildlife, historic monuments, impressive fine arts, significant religious sites and exotic cultures attracting a wide array of travelers for a variety of reasons. Nepal is also a destination for religious tourism and pilgrimages. Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, and Pashupatinath and other Hindu pilgrimage sites are the main attractions for people following Buddhism and Hinduism. There are opportunities in developing tourism infrastructure (hotels, restaurants, roads, airports, etc). There is also great potential for expanding the market for meetings, international conferences and events (MICE). Plans to upgrade the current international airport are underway, which will increase the tourist traffic significantly. The expansion of existing tourism products and introduction of new and innovative products has potential to attract different types of tourists and extend their average length of stay.

c.       Infrastructure

Only about 19% of roads in Nepal are all weather roads and 2 out of the 75 districts are still not connected by roads. Hence, there are many opportunities to expand the road network, for which the government is seeking to form public-private partnerships. Nepal’s main highways require expansion to accommodate the increase in traffic, which is another area for public-private partnerships. In order to cater to the needs of the growing population, the development of mass public transportation systems – bus-rapid transport (BRT), railways, monorails, airports has been prioritized. To finance these projects, the government is looking at public - private partnerships. Eight north-south corridors (roads) linking China and India through Nepal, a cross-border railway line connecting Kathmandu with China, five cross-border railway lines, ultimately connecting Kathmandu with India, a railway line along the East-West Highway, and cable cars in the hilly regions are planned.

(For Complete info in this topic click here Potential Area for Investment in Nepal)

d.      Agriculture

Nepal’s geography, topography, water resources and ample supply of labor give Nepal a comparative advantage in agricultural production. Nepal’s economy is largely dependent on agriculture, which accounted for about 32% of GDP and absorbs about two- thirds of the labor market. Only 25% of the total land area is cultivable land; another 33% comprised of forest land and the rest is mountains. The lowlands of the terai region produce an agricultural surplus, which caters to the needs of the food-deficient in hill areas. The Agriculture Development Strategy 2014 recommends spending NPR 502 billion in 10 years. Nepal Government is currently focusing on the modernization, diversification, commercialization and marketing of the agriculture sector. Towards this, the government plans to make available agricultural inputs, such as irrigation, electricity, transportation and agro-credit. The Nepal Trade Integration Strategy 2010 focuses on the development of cardamom, ginger, honey, lentils, tea, noodles and medicinal herbs/essentials oil as priority export products. The Trade Policy 2015 reemphasizes the need to develop these products. Good opportunities exist in agriculture production; processing, packaging and branding. Also nontimber forest products, cardamom, ginger, aquaculture, vegetables, floriculture, tea, coffee and honey offer many opportunities. There are good opportunities in input markets (such as for seeds, nurseries, fertilizers, agricultural infra- structure and technology, and agriculture financing) and, due to favorable climatic conditions, the focus on high value organic crops is increasing.

e.      Information and Communication Technology

Nepal’s ICT sector is one of the fastest emerging sectors in the country, with huge potential for growth in the coming years. All the services related to the ICT sector are open to foreign direct investment, except for media. For telecommunications, 80% foreign ownership is allowed. The Government of Nepal has identified IT and business process outsourcing (BPO) in the Nepal Trade Integration Strategy 2010 as one of the five priority potential export service sectors. The Trade Policy 2015 also reemphasizes the importance of developing this sector. As there are only two major telecommunications companies (NTC and Ncell) dominating the sector, there is room for new firms to enter the market. Foreign BPO companies can tap into the young English-speaking population and benefit from the cost advantages offered by the low wages and low establishment and operating costs. The time zone in Nepal is also favorable for companies looking to outsource from America or Europe. There are unmet needs for the use of ICTs in governmental agencies and the private sector.

f.        Health and Education

Opportunities exist in developing education infrastructure, including upgrading and building educational institutions and even education cities (medical, IT, engineering, management etc.), for which the government is seeking to engage in private-public partnerships. Every year, thousands of students go abroad for further studies spending large sums of money. With more and better education institutions within country, this could be avoided. The government is also looking to develop health infrastructure, including modernization and increasing the capacity of health facilities and mobilizing privately-run hospitals by means of public private partnerships. In terms of pharmaceuticals, there are persistent shortages of quality medicines in the market presenting opportunities for manufacturers of pharmaceutical goods.

g.       Financial Sector

Although the financial sector of Nepal is growing at a rapid pace, still 60% of Nepal’s population has no bank accounts and only 61% are served by formal financial institutions. Also, banking services are heavily concentrated in urban areas whereas 56% of the adults use banking products as compared to 36% in rural areas. Thus financial sector of Nepal still has a large untapped market for banking and financial services. Similarly, Nepal’s Insurance market has also huge potential as the penetration rate is only 1.31% in 2011.

(For Complete info in this topic click here Potential Area for Investment in Nepal)

h.      Mines and Minerals

Nepal has an abundance of minerals used in industry and construction, including limestone (most abundant), coal, talc, red clay, granite and marble, gold, and precious and semi-precious stones (tourmaline, aqua- marine, ruby and sapphire). Recent studies have shown that Nepal may have 2.5 billion metric tons of cement grade limestone. Nepal has an estimated 5 billion metric tons of dolomite and 180 million metric tons of high grade magnetite. In recent times, the western part of Nepal has witnessed gas and oil seepage, confirming the presence of oil and natural gas in Nepal. About 10 petroleum and natural gas exploration sites have been identified so far. Nepal has more than 20 million metric tons of ore reserves in more than 80 locations. Copper occurs in Nepal in more than 107 locations.

Follow here for How to Setup Business in Nepal http://bizserve.com.np/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/DBIN-Part-2.pdf

[sumikaooba]

India will increase trade with Bangladesh

Economic Reporter India is effective to adopt a multi-pronged strategy in imitation of enhancing bilateral career or funding partnership together with contiguous Bangladesh. Recently, New Delhi is active in imitation of receive that initiative within considering China presenting a duty-free facility because of Bangladeshi products. According to conformity with a document of the country's Economic Times. According to conformity with the report, the Economic Times has realized that so an end result regarding China's occupation facilitation, Bangladesh can also run into within the entice concerning finances or import-export shortage then debt. India is operable in conformity with activates a range regarding connectivity initiatives and that Bangladeshi merchandise performs put to openly of the land-bound north-eastern states or sordid parts. According to the imitation of experts reviewing cross-border vocation then connectivity, connectivity initiatives wish to stay strengthened into seaports, inland shipping, railroad yet highways. Which desire connect Bangladesh including the markets of India as like nicely namely Nepal then Bhutan. Both India or Bangladesh is acceptance of various initiatives in accordance with reactivating the connectivity as existed earlier than 1975, which includes rail. According in imitation of sources, regardless of the struggle on Mamata Banerjee's ruler government, the resumption over Fardel throughout the West Bengal border closing sennight wish assist improve Bangladeshi exports to India. Indian Foreign Minister S Jayashankar concerning Wednesday wrote after Bangladesh's overseas cabinet member respecting strengthening distinct ties, the file said. According to the imitation of a source, a decennary before China's decision, India has fond duty-free get admission to in imitation of a wide variety regarding Bangladeshi products. Which has played a function among decreasing New Delhi's trade scarcity including Dhaka? Besides, Indian conditions are auspicious because Bangladesh among terms regarding trade-free loans. The source similarly spoke of so Beijing has suspended Dhaka because of a long age before award such a career concession. This movement may want to entice Dhaka of debt. Bangladesh wish naturally need after receiving potential to getting entry to in imitation of South yet Southeast Asian markets. Bangladesh is India's greatest buying and selling companion in South Asia, in accordance with the Economic Times. Bilateral trade in the twain countries has been flourishing regularly upon the previous decade. In the 2018-19 economic year, India's exports then imports in imitation of Bangladesh had been ১ 921 edges and ৪ 104 edges respectively. In comparison, Bangladesh's career poverty together with China is between Beijing's interests. In the 2018-19 monetary year, China's exports in imitation of Bangladesh amounted to the imitation of ৬ 1,363 crores. On the sordid hand, Dhaka has exported 576 million dollars. One-fourth of Bangladesh's volume imports come beyond China. Bilateral occupation poverty has increased 16 instances among the ultimate two decades. According to experts, India has the perfect opposite approach. In the remaining viii years, Bangladesh has been partial 600 pile Lines over Credits (LOC) for the improvement on roads, railways, shipping, or city infrastructure. Bangladesh is the greatest receiver over Indian concessional loans. Akhaura-Agartala railway, dredging because inland waterways then development about India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline. The Economic Times record further states as Small Development Projects (SDPS) are work so an energetic basis for cooperation together with Dhaka. India has funded 55 SDPS projects in Bangladesh, consisting of pupil dormitories, study buildings, cultural centers yet orphanages.

via Blogger https://ift.tt/2O9ds4e

[optimisticprincepainter]

Nepal can serve as a bridge between India and China, Prime Minister K P Oli has said, insisting that his country will maintain close ties with the two neighbours while pursuing independent foreign policy. Oli, who is in China on a five-day visit, held talks with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, following which a memorandum of understanding was signed to build a railway link connecting Tibet with Kathmandu, along with 14 cooperative documents. In an interview to China’s state-run Global Times, Oli said since the formation of his government, Nepal has intensified engagements with both neighbours.  “We have made it clear that we pursue an independent foreign policy and a balanced outlook in the conduct of international relations,” he said.            “In foreign policy conduct, our two neighbours naturally receive top priority and with both of them, our relations are broad, comprehensive and multi-faceted,” Oli said.Asked whether Nepal will be the “land of the competition” or “bridge of cooperation” between China and India, Oli said Nepal has remained a sovereign and independent nation throughout history. “We are firmly committed to not allowing our territory to be used against the sovereign interests of our neighbours. We have the resolve to maintain this and we naturally expect similar assurance from our neighbours,” he said. Given this policy percept, “I see a good prospect of cooperation among our three countries,” he said.  Oli said Nepal’s developmental needs were immense and needed meaningful and mutually beneficial economic partnership with both its neighbours.”Fortunately for us, both our neighbours are rising in global stature and making tremendous progress in every area of development. They are in a position to support Nepal in its developmental journey,” he said. “We believe that Nepal can serve as a bridge between our two neighbours. In fact, we want to move from the state of a land-locked to a land-linked country through the development of adequate cross border connectivity. Our friendship with both neighbours places us in an advantageous position to realise this goal,” he said. On the Tibet-Kathmandu railway link, he said “cross-border connectivity is our top priority. Both sides have discussed developing a multidimensional trans-Himalayan connectivity network. This will enhance overall connectivity between our two countries.” “Our two countries are working seriously to establish cross-border railway connectivity. Kerung-Rasuwagadhi-Kathmandu-Pokhara-Lumbini railway project has received priority in our partnership,” he said. The Rediff.com : 23rd. June,18

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his Nepalese counterpart Khadga Prasad Oli during the inauguration of India-Nepal petroleum products pipeline and the Integrated Check Post (ICP), at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on Saturday. PTI Photo by Shahbaz Khan (PTI4_7_2018_000074B)

PRIME MINISTER K P OLI SAID NEPAL CAN SERVE AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN INDIA AND CHINA : Nepal can serve as a bridge between India and China, Prime Minister K P Oli has said, insisting that his country will maintain close ties with the two neighbours while pursuing independent foreign policy. 

[vaishcurrentaffairs-blog]

Current Affairs September 19th

1. Google's free UPI payments application Tez

Google launched its free UPI enabled payment app Tez, where users can carry out direct transactions between bank accounts. The app, launched exclusively for India, has four banking partners -SBI, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank. The payments will, however, work across over 50 banks.

On Google’s Tez, one can pay or “request“ money from an individual, which shows up like a chat on the user’s phone screen. However, like the shared expense tracking app Split wise, it doesn’t yet have a feature to settle accounts or divide expenses between people.

The app also has “cash mode“ where two users present on the same spot can transact between themselves by pressing the cash mode button together. In this case, they needn’t exchange phone numbers or UPI IDs. The phone detects the other device in its vicinity using Google’s proprietary “Audio QR ultrasound“ technology .

2. Easier Goods & Service Tax compliance for small buisnesses

The government is planning an easier set of compliance norms for small businesses with annual turnover of under Rs 20 lakh as it seeks to widen the tax base to plug loopholes and make the goods and services tax (GST) more broad-based.

For the benefit of Goods & Service Tax to flow at every stage of the manufacturing and distribution chain, everyone from the raw material supplier to the component maker, transporter and the packing material supplier has to be registered, many of whom may not have annual sales of Rs 20 lakh.

At the same time, the government recognizes that the current mechanism may be cumbersome. It should be like Saral (the income tax form), which should be a single-page form with only the sales and purchase details to be furnished.

The new compliance mechanism is being worked out by the Central Board of Excise and Customs but it is still at conceptualisation stage. Based on the plan, rules will be finalized by the Goods & Service Tax Council.

3. SBM may be First to Launch India Subsidiary

State Bank of Mauritius (SBM) is likely to become the first foreign bank to open a wholly-owned subsidiary almost four years after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) allowed overseas lenders to open local units in India.

SBM is awaiting final approval from RBI and has laid out an ambitious business plan for what will be the largest market for the government-owned lender from the island nation.

SBM has already registered a local subsidiary, called SBM (India) Ltd, which will manage the local branches in the country. SBM has operations in Madagascar and Seychelles besides Mauritius. Earlier this year, it completed the acquisition of Fidelity Bank in Kenya as part of its expansion in Africa.

4. Tatas to Venture into Online Grocery Retail Under Starquik

Tata Group is venturing into online grocery business under Starquik brand, taking on Amazon and BigBasket in a nascent yet rapidly growing market.

A pilot venture will be rolled out within the next two months as an online channel for Trent Hypermarket, an equal joint venture between Tata and British retailer Tesco. Tata Group runs three formats under Star banner -Daily , Market and Hyper -and has around 42 stores.

5. M&M, Ford team up for strategic alliance

Homegrown auto giant Mahindra & Mahindra and American carmaker Ford are teaming up yet again -after a gap of nearly two decades -to explore a “strategic alliance“ for joint work in areas such as electric and connected vehicles, product and supplier development, and distribution in India and abroad.

The companies signed a memorandum of understanding -initially for a period of three years

While M&M hopes to gain from Ford in areas such as connected vehicles, global distribution and other key product-development technologies, Ford is banking on M&M’s experience in frugal component sourcing, low-cost electric technology and expertise in Indian sales and distribution network.

6. Private Equity investment in realty sector to cross $4 billion this year.

Private equity investment into the Indian real estate sector in 2017 is expected to exceed $4 billion, a new milestone. This is up from the $3.6 billion in 2015, which was then the highest since 2010, according to a report from independent property consultancy Knight Frank.

The year witnessed the landmark deal under which Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC bought a stake in realtor DLF for $1.8 billion. Other major deals include Canada-based CPPIB’s investment of $500 million in Indospace Core and $246 million in Island Star Malls. Share of private equity investments into residential projects nearly halved between 2011 (50%) and 2016 (28%). It has dropped to a mere 4% in 2017.

There has been a pragmatic shift in investors’ focus towards pre-leased office spaces, industrialwarehousing and retail real estate projects at the cost of residential investments courtesy poor execution, lack of clarity on approvals, and appalling returns from residential projects.

7. China opens dual-use road to Nepal via Tibet

China has opened a strategic highway in Tibet to the Nepal border which could be used for civilian and defence purposes, a move that Chinese experts say will enable Beijing to make forays into South Asia.

The 40.4km highway in Tibet between Xigaze airport and Xigaze city centre officially opened to the public with a short section linking the national highway to the Nepal border.

The highway will shorten the journey from an hour to 30 minutes between the dual-use civil and military airport and Tibet’s secondlargest city.

Geographically , any extension of the road and railway connectivity to South Asia is through India, Bhutan and to Bangladesh. This could become a trade corridor for India and China if New Delhi came on board.

8. `Zero Hunger' programme

`Zero Hunger’ programme to be launched  through interventions in farm sector on October 16 (World Food Day). The programme to be aunched in three districts –Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, Koraput in Odisha and Thane in Maharashtra.

This will work in sync with UN mandated Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end hunger by 2030, these three will serve as the model for an integrated approach to deal with hunger and malnutrition by adopting suitable agricultural and horticultural practices.

The programme will be initiated by the the Indian Council of Agricultural Research in association with the Indian Council of Medical Research, the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council.

The concerned state governments will also be involved in the programme which consists of organizing farming systems for nutrition, setting up genetic gardens for bio fortified plants crops and initiation of a `Zero Hunger’ training.

Genetic gardens:-

A genetic garden for biofortified plants crops contains the germplasm of naturally bio fortified crops or such crops through plant breeding. It has plants and crops that help supplement micro-nutrient deficiencies, including iron, iodine, vitamin A and zinc among others.

World Food day:-

World Food Day is celebrated every year around the world on 16 October in honor of the date of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1945. The day is celebrated widely by many other organisations concerned with food security, including the World Food Programme and the International Fund for Agricultural Development.

[osimint]

The Doklam Standoff Highlights Nepal’s Dilemmas With India

As the military stand-off between India and China at the Doklam plateau shows no sign of abating, Nepal finds itself once again in the limelight. Kathmandu is being wooed by both New Delhi and Beijing though the Nepali government has made it clear that it wants a peaceful resolution of the Sino-Indian military standoff. “Nepal does not want to be dragged into the boundary dispute between India and China,” Nepali Foreign Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara has said. He has underlined Nepal’s policy of maintaining equidistance by suggesting that “both of our big neighbors should maintain cordial relations through peaceful diplomacy and dialogue.” He was categorical that “we do not support to any of our neighbors in this case.”

But of course this is easier said than done when the stakes are as high as they seem to be in the Doklam crisis for India and China. Both sides are refusing to budge from their publicly stated positions and this is making Nepal nervous. Beijing and New Delhi have also stepped up their diplomacy to engage Kathmandu at this crucial time. The Nepali government must also be concerned by China’s attempts to bring other disputes, such as Kalapani, into the equation in order to justify its actions at the India-Bhutan-China tri-junction. Wang Wenli, deputy director general of the Boundary and Ocean Affairs of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has suggested that “The Indian side has also many tri-junctions. What if we [the Chinese] use the same excuse and enter the Kalapani region between China, India, and Nepal or even into the Kashmir region between India and Pakistan.”

Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was in Kathmandu last week, ostensibly to attend the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) ministerial meeting. But her engagements with the Nepali government became the focus of her visit. Nepal has benefited tremendously from its “historic” ties with India and it seeks to further strengthen its bilateral relations with New Delhi, the Himalayan nation’s Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said even as Swaraj underlined that India attached highest priority to its relationship with Nepal. Deuba will be visiting India later this month on a five-day visit  to engage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Meanwhile, China is also reaching out in a big way. Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang will be in Kathmandu this week with a big delegation to get a sense about the Deuba government’s inclinations. Beijing has pledged $8.3 billion to build roads and hydropower plants in Nepal even as Indian commitments remain in the realm of $317 million. As part of its ambitious “One Belt, One Road” initiative, Beijing is looking into the possibility of connecting Kathmandu to Lhasa in Tibet via railways at an estimated cost of $8 billion. China’s activities have been steadily expanding in Nepal after Kathmandu’s support for OBOR materialized. This happened despite India’s stiff resistance to OBOR.

The blockade along the India-Nepal border due to the Madhesi crisis had angered a large part of the Nepalese population, allowing China to step in as an alternative to India by providing not only internet access, but also alternative trade routes. Nepal’s economy has been ailing since the earthquake of 2015 as its reliance on aid and remittances remains at an all time high. China’s attraction under such circumstances is quite natural.

Deuba’s visit to India later this month will be another opportunity to bring Indo-Nepali relations on an even keel. The Modi government had started off in 2014 by investing significantly in this vital relationship, but it has struggled to revitalize bilateral ties with Nepal. Deuba’s visit will also focus on issues like the execution of the decades-old Mahakali Treaty, a memorandum of understanding on reconstruction projects in Nepal, enhancing cross-border connectivity, and expeditious completion of India-funded projects.

India’s inability to execute projects it has taken up in its neighborhood has become a big problem for its allies as well as for its own ambitions to emerge as economic guarantor in the region. It dents New Delhi’s credibility and China, by often implementing projects on time and schedule, presents itself as a more credible partner. It should therefore be no surprise that India’s smaller neighbors often seek out China’s support despite India’s discomfiture.

India’s obsession with Pakistan has also meant that policymakers in New Delhi often taken their eyes off the ball and that is China’s rapidly expanding profile in South Asia and the larger Indian Ocean region. Pakistan is a problem and has always been one, but increasingly it is a problem of managing negative externalities emerging out of Pakistan’s domestic dysfunction. Meanwhile, China’s growing role in the region means that India cannot be ad hoc and episodic in its dealings with its smaller neighbors. After all, they are India’s first line of defense against a Chinese onslaught. With Nepal in particular, India’s cultural and social connections has at times resulted in New Delhi taking the country for granted.

Nepal, like most regional states in South Asia, has tried to use to both India and China to pursue its interests. There is nothing new or controversial in this. What should be of concern to India is that despite New Delhi’s best intentions, it has been unable to assuage Nepali concerns about India’s attitudes and has not been able to implement its long-promised projects in the country. And this has resulted in China expanding its footprint in the Himalayan country. The Doklam stand-off is making this reality clear for New Delhi.

Harsh V Pant

http://thediplomat.com/2017/08/the-doklam-standoff-highlights-nepals-dilemmas-with-india/

[skandyx]

Talks over cross-border railway project with China in final phase: Nepal Nepal and China were set to sign the much-talked about agreement for a cross-border railway network that will pass through the Himalayan ranges, said…

[digitalgurkha]

Potential Area for Investment in Nepal

Here I’m going to write some Potential Area for Investment in Nepal. For Complete info in this topic click here Potential Area for Investment in Nepal .

(For Complete info in Current Investing Environment in Nepal click here Business Environment in Nepal )

a.       Energy:

Nepal is rich in water resources with multiple sources of water, including glaciers, snowmelt from the Himalayas, rainfall and groundwater. Nepal’s theoretical capacity of hydropower is around 80,000 MW, out of which 43,000 MW is estimated to be economically feasible. However, installed capacity is only 750 MW of electricity, despite the fact that peak domestic demand (suppressed) is well over 1,000 MW. Demand for electricity is increasing at 7–9% per year. Nepal is targeting graduating from least developed country (LDC) status to developing country status by 2022 and aims to become a middle income country by 2030. To meet its growth aspirations, Nepal will need to add 6,000+ MW (which requires investment of approximately USD 10 billion). Consequently, a lot of industries and infrastructure projects are in the pipe- line opening up huge opportunities. In addition to energy development, investment opportunities lie in the up gradation and expansion of distribution systems (for which investment of approximately USD 2 billion is required) and transmission systems (for which investment of approximately USD 4.45 billion is required). The Power Trade Agreement (PTA) signed with India has opened up a large market for exporting electricity to India. The SAARC Framework agreement on Energy Cooperation signed during the 18th SAARC Summit in 2014 will pave the way for the eventual formation of a regional energy market.

b.      Tourism:

With the world’s highest mountain range, the Himalayas, and 8 of the 10 highest peaks in world, Nepal has long been popular among mountaineers, trekkers and adventure seekers. It also offers beautiful lakes, steep rivers and gorges, unique wildlife, historic monuments, impressive fine arts, significant religious sites and exotic cultures attracting a wide array of travelers for a variety of reasons. Nepal is also a destination for religious tourism and pilgrimages. Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, and Pashupatinath and other Hindu pilgrimage sites are the main attractions for people following Buddhism and Hinduism. There are opportunities in developing tourism infrastructure (hotels, restaurants, roads, airports, etc). There is also great potential for expanding the market for meetings, international conferences and events (MICE). Plans to upgrade the current international airport are underway, which will increase the tourist traffic significantly. The expansion of existing tourism products and introduction of new and innovative products has potential to attract different types of tourists and extend their average length of stay.

(For Complete info in this topic click here Potential Area for Investment in Nepal)

c.       Infrastructure:

Only about 19% of roads in Nepal are all weather roads and 2 out of the 75 districts are still not connected by roads. Hence, there are many opportunities to expand the road network, for which the government is seeking to form public-private partnerships. Nepal’s main highways require expansion to accommodate the increase in traffic, which is another area for public-private partnerships. In order to cater to the needs of the growing population, the development of mass public transportation systems – bus-rapid transport (BRT), railways, monorails, airports has been prioritized. To finance these projects, the government is looking at public - private partnerships. Eight north-south corridors (roads) linking China and India through Nepal, a cross-border railway line connecting Kathmandu with China, five cross-border railway lines, ultimately connecting Kathmandu with India, a railway line along the East-West Highway, and cable cars in the hilly regions are planned.

 d.      Agriculture:

Nepal’s geography, topography, water resources and ample supply of labor give Nepal a comparative advantage in agricultural production. Nepal’s economy is largely dependent on agriculture, which accounted for about 32% of GDP and absorbs about two- thirds of the labor market. Only 25% of the total land area is cultivable land; another 33% comprised of forest land and the rest is mountains. The lowlands of the terai region produce an agricultural surplus, which caters to the needs of the food-deficient in hill areas. The Agriculture Development Strategy 2014 recommends spending NPR 502 billion in 10 years. Nepal Government is currently focusing on the modernization, diversification, commercialization and marketing of the agriculture sector. Towards this, the government plans to make available agricultural inputs, such as irrigation, electricity, transportation and agro-credit. The Nepal Trade Integration Strategy 2010 focuses on the development of cardamom, ginger, honey, lentils, tea, noodles and medicinal herbs/essentials oil as priority export products. The Trade Policy 2015 reemphasizes the need to develop these products. Good opportunities exist in agriculture production; processing, packaging and branding. Also nontimber forest products, cardamom, ginger, aquaculture, vegetables, floriculture, tea, coffee and honey offer many opportunities. There are good opportunities in input markets (such as for seeds, nurseries, fertilizers, agricultural infra- structure and technology, and agriculture financing) and, due to favorable climatic conditions, the focus on high value organic crops is increasing.

e.      Information and Communication Technology:

Nepal’s ICT sector is one of the fastest emerging sectors in the country, with huge potential for growth in the coming years. All the services related to the ICT sector are open to foreign direct investment, except for media. For telecommunications, 80% foreign ownership is allowed. The Government of Nepal has identified IT and business process outsourcing (BPO) in the Nepal Trade Integration Strategy 2010 as one of the five priority potential export service sectors. The Trade Policy 2015 also reemphasizes the importance of developing this sector. As there are only two major telecommunications companies (NTC and Ncell) dominating the sector, there is room for new firms to enter the market. Foreign BPO companies can tap into the young English-speaking population and benefit from the cost advantages offered by the low wages and low establishment and operating costs. The time zone in Nepal is also favorable for companies looking to outsource from America or Europe. There are unmet needs for the use of ICTs in governmental agencies and the private sector.

(For Complete info in this topic click here Potential Area for Investment in Nepal)

f.        Health and Education:

Opportunities exist in developing education infrastructure, including upgrading and building educational institutions and even education cities (medical, IT, engineering, management etc.), for which the government is seeking to engage in private-public partnerships. Every year, thousands of students go abroad for further studies spending large sums of money. With more and better education institutions within country, this could be avoided. The government is also looking to develop health infrastructure, including modernization and increasing the capacity of health facilities and mobilizing privately-run hospitals by means of public private partnerships. In terms of pharmaceuticals, there are persistent shortages of quality medicines in the market presenting opportunities for manufacturers of pharmaceutical goods.

g.       Financial Sector:

Although the financial sector of Nepal is growing at a rapid pace, still 60% of Nepal’s population has no bank accounts and only 61% are served by formal financial institutions. Also, banking services are heavily concentrated in urban areas whereas 56% of the adults use banking products as compared to 36% in rural areas. Thus financial sector of Nepal still has a large untapped market for banking and financial services. Similarly, Nepal’s Insurance market has also huge potential as the penetration rate is only 1.31% in 2011.

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h.      Mines and Minerals:

Nepal has an abundance of minerals used in industry and construction, including limestone (most abundant), coal, talc, red clay, granite and marble, gold, and precious and semi-precious stones (tourmaline, aqua- marine, ruby and sapphire). Recent studies have shown that Nepal may have 2.5 billion metric tons of cement grade limestone. Nepal has an estimated 5 billion metric tons of dolomite and 180 million metric tons of high grade magnetite. In recent times, the western part of Nepal has witnessed gas and oil seepage, confirming the presence of oil and natural gas in Nepal. About 10 petroleum and natural gas exploration sites have been identified so far. Nepal has more than 20 million metric tons of ore reserves in more than 80 locations. Copper occurs in Nepal in more than 107 locations.

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Economic Reporter India is effective to adopt a multi-pronged strategy in imitation of enhancing bilateral career or funding partnership together with contiguous Bangladesh. Recently, New Delhi is active in imitation of receive that initiative within considering China presenting a duty-free facility because of Bangladeshi products. According to conformity with a document of the country's Economic Times. According to conformity with the report, the Economic Times has realized that so an end result regarding China's occupation facilitation, Bangladesh can also run into within the entice concerning finances or import-export shortage then debt. India is operable in conformity with activates a range regarding connectivity initiatives and that Bangladeshi merchandise performs put to openly of the land-bound north-eastern states or sordid parts.According to the imitation of experts reviewing cross-border vocation then connectivity, connectivity initiatives wish to stay strengthened into seaports, inland shipping, railroad yet highways. Which desire connect Bangladesh including the markets of India as like nicely namely Nepal then Bhutan. Both India or Bangladesh is acceptance of various initiatives in accordance with reactivating the connectivity as existed earlier than 1975, which includes rail.According in imitation of sources, regardless of the struggle on Mamata Banerjee's ruler government, the resumption over Fardel throughout the West Bengal border closing sennight wish assist improve Bangladeshi exports to India. Indian Foreign Minister S Jayashankar concerning Wednesday wrote after Bangladesh's overseas cabinet member respecting strengthening distinct ties, the file said. According to the imitation of a source, a decennary before China's decision, India has fond duty-free get admission to in imitation of a wide variety regarding Bangladeshi products. Which has played a function among decreasing New Delhi's trade scarcity including Dhaka? Besides, Indian conditions are auspicious because Bangladesh among terms regarding trade-free loans. The source similarly spoke of so Beijing has suspended Dhaka because of a long age before award such a career concession. This movement may want to entice Dhaka of debt. Bangladesh wish naturally need after receiving potential to getting entry to in imitation of South yet Southeast Asian markets.Bangladesh is India's greatest buying and selling companion in South Asia, in accordance with the Economic Times. Bilateral trade in the twain countries has been flourishing regularly upon the previous decade. In the 2018-19 economic year, India's exports then imports in imitation of Bangladesh had been ১ 921 edges and ৪ 104 edges respectively. In comparison, Bangladesh's career poverty together with China is between Beijing's interests. In the 2018-19 monetary year, China's exports in imitation of Bangladesh amounted to the imitation of ৬ 1,363 crores. On the sordid hand, Dhaka has exported 576 million dollars. One-fourth of Bangladesh's volume imports come beyond China. Bilateral occupation poverty has increased 16 instances among the ultimate two decades.According to experts, India has the perfect opposite approach. In the remaining viii years, Bangladesh has been partial 600 pile Lines over Credits (LOC) for the improvement on roads, railways, shipping, or city infrastructure. Bangladesh is the greatest receiver over Indian concessional loans. Akhaura-Agartala railway, dredging because inland waterways then development about India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline. The Economic Times record further states as Small Development Projects (SDPS) are work so an energetic basis for cooperation together with Dhaka. India has funded 55 SDPS projects in Bangladesh, consisting of pupil dormitories, study buildings, cultural centers yet orphanages.

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