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Nepal has over the past few years seen growing penetration of the US and China in its military. India has always been the primary outside military force in Nepal, as well as a major defense supplier. Now there are new actors in the fray, raising concerns that Nepal could find itself entangled in the military components of the American Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS) and the Chinese BRI. Kamal Dev Bhattarai talked to Deepak Prakash Bhatta, a security expert and lawmaker of the ruling Nepal Communist Party.  

There is much talk of the IPS in Nepal these days. Some argue that as it is a military strategy, Nepal should not subscribe to it.

When we talk about our relationship with the wider world or with a specific country like America, we first need to first be aware of our current political and economic situations as well as of our priorities. The current government leadership does not have a clear working modality on this. First, we need to formulate a national development policy and on that basis our security, foreign and other policies can be developed. Only after the formulation of this development policy will we be able to evaluate our relations with India, China, the US, and frame our national interests. Then we can start a discourse on the role of China’s BRI, the US’ IPS and India’s ‘Make in India’ in Nepal’s development process.

Again, our government does not have a clear policy on how to derive maximum benefit from the IPS, largely because we do not have a national development policy. The US has listed us among its IPS partners but alliances are their necessity. Our necessity is not a military alliance. I see this as a continuation of America’s pivot or rebalancing policy and it falls under the grand strategy of maintaining the status of ‘America First’. We should not be troubled by such a strategy. We should rather collaborate with the US even while we continue to work within vibrant regional frameworks. We should learn to strike a balance.

Is the US trying to drag Nepal into a costly military strategy?

From the American perspective, trying to get Nepal into its military orbit is normal. But accepting some military support should also not be seen as an acceptance of a military alliance. At the same time, we are conducting joint military exercises with India, China and other countries on specific issues such as engineering, information technology, and terrorism. But despite having a stable government, we have not made our position clear. We go to whoever invites us, and if there is criticism, we have a tendency of saying that we went there unknowingly.

America’s military influence and interest seems to have increased in Nepal of late. What could be the reason?

With the goal of retaining its global superiority in the current multi-polar world, the US is working to create new alliances and bases. After the conclusion of our peace process, we have seen more US activities here. Through the IPS, and by projecting India as its champion in the region, America wants to promote democracy and its principles and it expects India will remain its strategic partner in the region. But it is not easy to make an alliance with India, unlike with, say, Pakistan. India also looks after its own economic and strategic interests.

Sometimes, we analyze things by projecting ourselves as an important player. The reality is that we are indeed in an important place but we are yet to develop any kind of national capacity. It may also be a compulsion of big powers to show that Nepal is in their area of influence. This is not a propaganda issue. We should not be in a hurry at the policy level.

Nepal’s old defense partners were India and the US. How do you see China’s new role as a military partner of Nepal?

China has an aggressive presence not only in Nepal. But the crux of matter is how we move ahead. As our threats multiple, our military and strategic alliance with China will further increases.

Does the BRI have greater security and strategic than economic components?

Some western countries are asking us to question the BRI, citing the issues of debt-trap and sovereignty. They have come up with policy papers on the BRI and its implications. On the other hand, China has invested heavily in science and technology. When a powerful country comes up with such a grand strategy, the military component figures prominently. Therefore, the BRI has a military component and there is a desire to engage militarily. The military component has also been mobilized through private security companies.    

There is a competition between the BRI and the IPS. Under the BRI, new infrastructures are being built. China has the Shanghai Economic Cooperation (SCO) which deals with broader regional and international issues. Under the BRI, China is inviting more and more countries for discussion. As a backup structure, China has the Asian Infrastructure Development Bank. Top positions of this bank are occupied by citizens of other countries. For some time, we should be open to development projects under both the BRI and the IPS.  We can benefit from other big economies too. We should go beyond India, China and the US.

So we should cooperate with the IPS and the BRI despite their clear military and strategic components?

They obviously have military and strategic components. But we cannot have a policy of going one step forward and two back. There is a tendency of us stepping back based on the reaction of one country to our engagement with another country. With such a flawed approach, we will get nowhere. We cannot remain aloof in this inter-dependent world.

How should Nepal should collaborate with Chinese militarily?

There should be sectoral collaboration with Chinese military in areas such as medicine, engineering, intelligence, terrorism, and disaster management. We need collaboration in all these sectors because if we face a disaster tomorrow, India and China will be first countries to help us. We should look for compatibility. We should be in a position of responding to them when they come to assist us. Similarly, we may face new security threats and challenges, further boosting military collaboration with China.

In this context, how should Nepal reform its security bodies?

We should first discuss the right size of our army. If development is a key priority for the next 10 years, how many army battalions do we need for such development? There is no clarity on how we are going to mobilize our security forces. During army integration, there was the talk of creating a separate directorate for development-related activities. I don’t know what happened to it.  

Is it right to say our defense collaboration with India is stuck while such collaboration with China is increasing?

First, we are going to establish a National Defense University. We are working to produce knowledge. We already have a war-college. The Armed Police Force has a Masters’ course at its commanding staff college. In Nepal Police, the academy is extremely capable. So we have a good understanding of our security discourse. 

In the past, there was dependency on India in the area of study; now we are diversifying. As far as the perception that Nepal is tilting towards China is concerned, the situation is different. I just returned from China. The Chinese say they are ready to do many things here if only Nepal can come up with concrete plans. Indian media often says Nepal is tilting towards China, which is not true.

What could be repercussions of major powers continuing to increase their penetration in Nepal Army?

In terms of our economy and our investment in the security sector, we are not in a position of exerting ourselves militarily. The threats and challenges of cyber world are increasing. We alone cannot fight these challenges. So we need collaboration. In the digital world, we need to cooperate with all three big powers we are talking about. Their presence will be more pertinent in coming days because they are coming up with technology-driven policies and strategies.

How do you read the new national security policy?

This is the second edition of the national security policy. The first edition had come during the transition from the interim constitution to the new constitution and subsequent implementation of federalism. We have already adopted a federal structure and province-level discussions about possible security challenges of the provinces would have been fruitful. For example, Province 2 is connected only with India while Province 6 is connected only with China. But the whole of our country is connected with both India and China. Similarly, the least developed Sudurpaschim province is connected with both India and China. National security discussion should thus be made more vibrant. There should be discussions in the national security council on Nepal’s relations with emerging and big powers, as well as issue-specific discussions. I think there has been a hurry while finalizing the document.

The policy has identified blockade as a major threat to national security. What is your take?

The two latest national crises we faced were the earthquake and the blockade. If we want to decrease our dependence on the country that imposed the blockade, our focus should be on the finalization of the national development policy. The draft laws on the new national security council are not in line with the constitution. All these show we are working in haste. We are suffering from the hangover of short-lived governments that could do no long-term planning.

1) What are the three words you would use to describe yourself?

Easy, honest and funny.

2) Who inspires you the most?

Me.

3) What is one thing you enjoy about your profession?

Acting.

4) What is your superpower?

Great intuition.

5) Your favorite getaway?

A friend’s house.

6) If you had only one day left to live, what would you do?

I would just be sad.

7) If you could wish for anything, what would it be?

Happiness.

8) If not in the entertainment industry, which field would you be in?

Engineering.

9) Which is the project you are proudest to be a part of?

Every movie I have acted in. A bit prouder of “Bulbul” though.

10) An opinion you hold that most people would disagree with?

There are lots! Perhaps, it would be opinions related to feminism.

CELEB QUIZ

Q. Which Nepali actor does Swastima want to work with?
a) Anmol K.C.   b) Rajesh Hamal
c) Bipin Karki    d) Ayushman Joshi

Send us you answer on our Facebook page. One winner selected by lucky draw will get a
Rs 2,000 coupon from Coffee Pasal, Durbarmarg.

Q. If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?

A. Japan

Q. If not an actor, what?

A. Filmmaker

Q. A movie character you portrayed that you will cherish for life?

A. Major Aakash (Intu Mintu LondonMa)

Q. If you were granted three wishes, what would they be?

A. To be more productive during the day time, and be good with time and money management

Q. If you could choose between acting and modeling, what would your pick?

A. Acting, as it is a part of a much bigger process.

Q. Who do you look up to as an actor and a model?

A. Jared Leto

Q. A habit of yours which you know needs to be changed but you can’t?

A. Sometimes I end up taking long naps during the day.

Q. A peculiar talent?

A. I can wiggle my ears, haha.

Q. Any new project coming up?

A. I’m in the research phase for my independent project.

Q. What is your mantra for success?

      A. Consistency, passion and setting new limits.

 The Rainwater Harvesting and Ground Water Recharge System project, supported by Bottlers Nepal Limited, the authorized bottler of the Coca-Cola Company in Nepal, and implemented by Smart Paani Pvt. Ltd., has been handed over to the Kanti Children’s Hospital. The handover ceremony was held at Kanti Children’s Hospital, Maharajgunj this week in the presence of Dr. Ganesh Kumar Rai, Direc­tor of Kanti Children’s Hos­pital, Pradip Pandey, Man­aging Director of Bottlers Nepal Limited, and Suman Shakya, Managing Director of Smart Paani Pvt. Ltd. In its relentless drive to creating lasting positive impacts on the communities it operates in, the Coca-Cola Company continues to work on sus­tainability efforts including water efficiency, water con­servation, water replenish­ment and integrated water resource management, a press release issued by the company reads.

 Everest Bank Limited has tied up with Blue Cross Hospital to arrange for discounts/spe­cial packages for the bank cus­tomers. Blue Cross Hospital at Tripureshwor, Kathmandu is a 55-bed, multi-specialty, tertiary healthcare center. As per the MOU, Everest debit and credit card holders will get attractive discounts on various Blue Cross services.

 After launching Honor 8A just a month back, Kratos Technologies (P) LTD, the national distributor for Honor mobile phones, has come out with one more competitive device in the entry-level segment.

The “Honor 8S” is an affordable offer­ing from Honor with competitive speci­fications. The budget phone comes with a 5.71” IPS LCD Dew Drop display with a 19:9 aspect ratio. The dew drop notch at the top hides a 5 MP f/2.2 selfie shooter at the front, and as for the rear cam­era the device has a 13MP sensor with F/1.8 lens which also supports PDAF. Honor 8S is powered by MediaTek MT6761 Helio A22 combined with a 2GB Ram, which makes it perfect for day to day tasks.

The Honor 8S is available in Nepal for Rs 12,500 in retail stores across the country. The phone comes in two basic colors: Blue and Black.

The Backstreet Academy has come up with another creative class that’ll prep you well for making those delicious Sel Rotis on your own. Hosted by Mina Devi Ranabhat, the classes are conducted in a warm and homely environment which makes the learning fun. Get ready to be introduced to the traditional Nepali breakfasts along with your Sel Rotis to add more flavor to your taste buds. All the ingredients will be provided in the class itself along with an English speaking guide. This three-hour course worth $19 per person is definitely something worth a go. Contact: Call & WhatsApp: +62 822 4383 4885; [email protected]

Organized by ethicaltravelportal.com, the Social Tours offer you a yoga trip to Mustang. The portal guarantees a mind-blowing experience to liven up your soul whether you are a novice or an expert. The yoga instructors are experts from Norway and the trip is supposed to be a combination of yoga, trekking, Buddhism, Tibetan beads, and a healthy dose of fun. This 14- day long expedition worth $2,850 includes pick up and drop service from the hotel, transport, accommodation and permit charges. The trip will be of interest to travelers with interest in cultural tourism and spiritualism. Contact: +977 9801123401; [email protected]