Nepal Former Pm Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘prachanda’ On 3-day India Visit, To Meet Senior Leaders – Nepal: Increasing role of big powers in Nepal’s internal affairs? Dahal reached Delhi

The visit of Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) President Pushpa Kamal Dahal to India has been the subject of many speculations here amid the competition between big powers to increase their sphere of influence in Nepal. It was announced on Thursday that Dahal reached Delhi on Friday on the invitation of the ruling BJP of India. Dahal’s aide Ramesh Malla told reporters that Dahal would attend high-level meetings in Delhi.

Dahal’s visit to New Delhi came just two days after the completion of the visit of a high-level Chinese delegation to Kathmandu. The delegation, led by Liu Jianchao, head of the Communist Party of China’s foreign liaison department, came here on Sunday and left for Beijing on Wednesday. Speculations heated up during this visit that he tried to bring unity between the Maoist Center and the Communist Party of Nepal (UML) led by former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. It is understood that if this unity is achieved, then it can disturb the political equations of the ruling Nepali Congress. According to observers, India’s sympathy in Nepal’s politics is considered to be with the Nepali Congress.

Malla said that BJP President JP Nadda had sent an invitation to Dahal about a month ago. He said- ‘But due to political engagements, it took time to decide the travel schedule. Now that Dahal has time, he is going to Delhi. This yatra will help in building ties between the Maoist Center and the BJP at the party level. According to Malla, Dahal is also likely to meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in Delhi. He said- ‘We hope that Dahal will also meet Prime Minister Modi, although it has not been confirmed yet.’ Dahal will return to Kathmandu on Sunday.

Observers have pointed out that Dahal’s visit to Delhi is taking place when the schedule for the next general election in Nepal is about to be announced. At present, the Maoist Center is a major constituent in the ruling coalition led by the Nepali Congress. He is also involved in the Sher Bahadur Deuba government.

Meanwhile, the US has announced the name of its new ambassador to Nepal. If ratified by the US Senate, Dean R. Thompson will be the US ambassador to Kathmandu. Thompson is currently the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs in the US State Department. His appointment is also being seen as a competition to increase the sphere of influence in Nepal.

Thompson said in a statement: “If my name as ambassador is confirmed, I will try to strengthen the rights of Nepalese citizens.” These include Dalits, marginalized groups, and other refugee groups including Tibetans. I would encourage the Government of Nepal to adopt policies that lead to meaningful inclusion of these groups, provide them financial aid, and provide them humanitarian aid.’ In this the mention of Tibetans has been considered important from the diplomatic point of view. At the same time, his intention to take initiative in the internal affairs of the country is also being linked to the growing US role in Nepal.

Expansion

The visit of Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) President Pushpa Kamal Dahal to India has been the subject of many speculations here amid the competition between big powers to increase their sphere of influence in Nepal. It was announced on Thursday that Dahal reached Delhi on Friday on the invitation of the ruling BJP of India. Dahal’s aide Ramesh Malla told reporters that Dahal would attend high-level meetings in Delhi.

Dahal’s visit to New Delhi came just two days after the completion of the visit of a high-level Chinese delegation to Kathmandu. The delegation, led by Liu Jianchao, head of the Communist Party of China’s foreign liaison department, came here on Sunday and left for Beijing on Wednesday. Speculations heated up during this visit that he tried to bring unity between the Maoist Center and the Communist Party of Nepal (UML) led by former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. It is understood that if this unity is achieved, then it can disturb the political equations of the ruling Nepali Congress. According to observers, India’s sympathy in Nepal’s politics is considered to be with the Nepali Congress.

Malla said that BJP President JP Nadda had sent an invitation to Dahal about a month ago. He said- ‘But due to political engagements, it took time to decide the travel schedule. Now that Dahal has time, he is going to Delhi. This yatra will help in building ties between the Maoist Center and the BJP at the party level. According to Malla, Dahal is also likely to meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in Delhi. He said- ‘We hope that Dahal will also meet Prime Minister Modi, although it has not been confirmed yet.’ Dahal will return to Kathmandu on Sunday.

Observers have pointed out that Dahal’s visit to Delhi is taking place when the schedule for the next general election in Nepal is about to be announced. At present, the Maoist Center is a major constituent in the ruling coalition led by the Nepali Congress. He is also involved in the Sher Bahadur Deuba government.

Meanwhile, the US has announced the name of its new ambassador to Nepal. If ratified by the US Senate, Dean R. Thompson will be the US ambassador to Kathmandu. Thompson is currently the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs in the US State Department. His appointment is also being seen as a competition to increase the sphere of influence in Nepal.

Thompson said in a statement: “If my name as ambassador is confirmed, I will try to strengthen the rights of Nepalese citizens.” These include Dalits, marginalized groups, and other refugee groups including Tibetans. I would encourage the Government of Nepal to adopt policies that lead to meaningful inclusion of these groups, provide them financial aid, and provide them humanitarian aid.’ In this the mention of Tibetans has been considered important from the diplomatic point of view. At the same time, his intention to take initiative in the internal affairs of the country is also being linked to the growing US role in Nepal.