Lalitpur, June 12
Experts have stressed
on developing a robust think tank system in the country to support and guide
the government in foreign policy matters.
Speaking at a dialogue
on 'BRI: International experience and Nepal' organised by News Society Nepal on
Saturday, they said that think tanks may offer pragmatic solutions while a
country is in a diplomatic fix like the Millennium Challenge Corporation's
Nepal Compact project or infrastructure development under Belt and Road
Initiative.
However, Security
Expert Geja Sharma Wagle said that it was difficult to operate a think tank in
Nepal due to the scarcity of funds. "Government doesn't promote think tanks while foreign donors
have their own interests," he said.
Wagle said that it was unfortunate that Nepalis are in the
wrong discourse in labeling the affairs with China and the United States of
America as BRI and MCC respectively. "They are just projects while our
relations are multidimensional," he said.
He also stated that Nepal had an obligation to move ahead
with the BRI projects as it had signed the agreement. But he suggested remaining
aloof from the strategic rivalry between China and India.
Diplomatic historian
of Sri Lanka, George IH Cooke, said that independent think tanks could be
instrumental in leading the country on better path in foreign policy and
affairs.
Stating that there are some motives behind every international
support, he suggested to know them before accepting the development assistance.
Giving example of Sri Lanka which is borrowing to repay its loan, Cooke said
that a country should assess its capacity to repay the loan obtained to build
an infrastructure project.
"Grants
are hard to find these days, everyone is offering loan so caution should be taken,"
he said,
Bishwas Baral, Chief Editor of The Annapurna Express, said
that military engagement in Nepal might cause Nepal to lose its decision power.
"This is the risk," he noted.
Ajay Bhadra Khanal, Chief Editor of Ukaalo.com, said corruption
and bad governance are the major challenges in Nepal, not projects like BRI.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 13 June 2022.
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