Nepal a dynamic bridge between India, China: FM Khanal

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.