Kathmandu, Aug. 7
Foreign
Minister Shisir Khanal said that Nepal can serve as a dynamic bridge in
expanding economic, trade and people-to-people cooperation between China and
South Asia.
Addressing the international conference on 'China and South Asia in
a Multipolar World: China–India–Nepal Trilateral Relations in an Evolving
Regional Order' in Lalitpur on Friday, he said Nepal has consistently
strengthened its relations with both neighbouring countries independently, with
sensitivity to each other's legitimate concerns.
The two-day
conference is jointly organised by the Centre for South Asian Studies, Fudan
University, China, and the Nepal Institute for International Cooperation and
Engagement (NIICE).
FM Khanal noted that Asia's rapid economic transformation has
created unprecedented opportunities for shared prosperity, adding that
cooperation remains the most reliable pathway to sustainable development and
long-term prosperity.
"Asia's transformation has created unprecedented opportunities
for shared prosperity. Cooperation is the surest path to sustainable
development and lasting prosperity," he said.
According to FM Khanal's secretariat, he stated that the continued
economic rise of China and India has opened up new opportunities for
neighbouring countries, including Nepal, in expanding trade, attracting
investment, developing infrastructure and connectivity, promoting tourism, and
strengthening broader economic cooperation.
He underscored that economic diplomacy lies at the heart of Nepal's
foreign policy, with its primary objective being to improve the living
standards of the Nepali people.
While noting that South Asia possesses enormous economic potential, FM
Khanal observed that regional economic integration has yet to reach its full
potential. He expressed the view that the region could achieve significant
economic gains by enhancing connectivity, facilitating trade, increasing
investment flows, and strengthening supply chains.
"The success of our cooperation should not be measured by how
many agreements we sign, but by how many opportunities we create for our
people," he said.
Minister Khanal also highlighted Nepal's abundant investment
opportunities, citing more than 42,000 megawatts of economically viable
hydropower potential, rich biodiversity, fertile agricultural land, and a
rapidly expanding digital economy.
Nepal's soft power is reinforced by its rich cultural and spiritual
heritage, including Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, the spiritual
legacy of Guru Padmasambhava, Sagaramatha (Mt Everest), and the country's
UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Emphasising the need to build partnerships founded on trust, mutual
respect and shared interests in an increasingly multipolar world, Minister
Khanal said Nepal remains committed to playing a constructive and positive role
in advancing such cooperation.
The conference aims
to foster academic dialogue and policy discussions on regional cooperation with
a focus on trilateral connectivity, security, and emerging challenges in an
increasingly multipolar world. The conference brings together around 30
speakers and academics, diplomats, policymakers, researchers, and strategic
affairs experts from Nepal, China, and India.
Speaking on the
occasion, Zhang Maoming, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Nepal,
said that in recent years, under the profound change unseen in a century, old
and new contradictions have intertwined.
"Regional
conflicts have been erupting worldwide. Unilateralism, protectionism and
hegemonism are on the rise, posing severe challenges to peace and development.
International order has suffered unprecedented erosion, and the world is at
risk of sliding back into the law of the jungle," he said.
Meanwhile, South Asia
has maintained overall stability and sustained economic growth, emerging as an
indispensable rising force in global power structure. The development of South
Asia vividly reflects the advancing multipolarisation of the world, and stands
as a powerful testament to the advent of the ‘Asian Century,' said Zhang.
He stated, “Nepal, as
a vital bridge linking China and South Asia, plays an irreplaceable role in
enhancing connectivity and practical cooperation across this important region.”
Sumitra Karki,
Director of NIICE, expressed confidence that the conference would generate
meaningful discussions and strengthen scholarly cooperation among Nepal, China,
and India on issues of regional significance.
The conference will
feature eight thematic sessions over two days, covering issues including China
and South Asia in a multipolar world, Nepal-China-India trilateral cooperation,
bilateral relations among these countries, strategic competition and security,
economic corridors and regional development, soft power and educational
diplomacy, and Nepal's internal dynamics and foreign policy.
Published in The Rising Nepal on 8 August 2026.
