Madhesi agitation: With trade ties cut-off with India, Nepal faces infrastructural strain to link with China

Trans-Himalayan passes between Nepal and China have deteriorated due to the earthquakes

Kathmandu, Oct 6: Nepal faces a tedious task to link supply chain with China through the trans-Himalayan passes. With trade ties cut-off from India, Kathmandu needs to establish effective routes with its eastern neighbour. Although, the country has increased proximity with Biejing following the Madhesi agitation, the infrastructural connections are not as smooth as with India.

There are seven trans-Himalayan routes connecting Nepal and China, however, due to the devastating earthquake this year, the condition of roads have deteriorated. Although, a number of consumer goods can be supplied, essential commodities like petroleum cannot be imported through the fractured roads. (ALSO READ: Madhesis agree to hold talks with Nepal government from tomorrow)

The Nepal government led by Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) has sought help from China to rebuild the dry port Tatopani, linking Kathmandu with Tibet’s Khasa port. Fuel will be supplied to Nepal through this only sea link which connects the Himalayan nation with China.

The Nepalese political establishment’s strained efforts to build bilateral relationship with China rather than India indicates that the Madhesi concerns would not be redressed soon. According to Khadga Prasad Oli, senior leader of ruling CPN-UML, New Delhi is assisting the Madhesi agitators and providing them land to protest in the unclaimed area shared by both the countries.

The Madhesis, who have origins in India, have alleged the Nepal government of breaching their rights and not offering them adequate representation in the freshly adopted constitution.

Since India chose to back the dissenters, it reportedly ended up irking the Nepali establishment. One of New Delhi’s natural partner has now chosen to align with China.

Tatopani, linking Kathmandu with Tibet’s Khasa by the 110-km Araniko Rajmarg, is slated to be a “dry port” for trans-Himalayan trade