NEPAL

NEPAL

Contrary to gov’t claims, latest Indo-Pacific Strategy report includes Nepal in its...


Even though the Nepal government categorically rejected any role and engagement in US-led Indo-Pacific Strategy, a recent report from the US Department of Defense states that the United States seeks to “expand” its defence relationship with Nepal... More

‘Nepal govt is committed to active roles of SAARC, BIMSTEC’


The Government of Nepal has reiterated its commitments to active roles of both South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). It has also stated that... More

Washington, Wuhan and Nepal


The globe-trotting Narendra Damodardas Modi was only half-jokingly referred to as the ‘foreign policy’ prime minister during his first term. In the five years, he visited 59 countries, from Argentina in South America to Turkmen­istan in Central... More

Nepal-China trade set to surge with Tatopani Customs re-opening


The Tatopani Customs at Nepal-China border in Sindhupalchok opened on Tuesday after being closed following the devastating earthquake on April 25, 2015. Four Nepali containers entered China via the newly opened customs point. Chinese authority has opened one... More

Fuel shortage in eastern Nepal as Indian customs block 73 tankers


Total 73 tankers carrying petroleum products heading to Nepal have been stuck at the Panitanki customs point of West Bengal, India, for the past four days, creating fuel shortage in eastern Nepal. The customs held the tankers citing... More

Nepal expedites preparations to reopen Tatopani border point with China


With an announcement of Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi that the Tatopani border point between the two countries, closed since the disastrous 2015 April earthquake, will reopen next week, the Nepali side has also expedited preparations. Till... More

BRI won’t put Nepal in debt trap: Chinese Ambassador


Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Hou Yanqi, has claimed that her government’s flagship international cooperation project, Belt and Road Initiative, will not put Nepal and any other country in any debt trap. Addressing a press conference in Kathmandu on... More

What does Narendra Modi’s landslide win mean for Nepal?


With the reelection of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in neighbouring India, Kathmandu’s diplomatic and political circles are certain to spend the coming weeks parsing what this could mean for Nepal. Discourse in Kathmandu... More

Nepal’s first satellite to be deployed in space on June 17


The date for deployment of Nepal’s first satellite, NepaliSat-1 into space from International Space Station is set for June-17. The satellite will start revolving around the earth immediately after deployment. A commercial cargo spacecraft carrying NepaliSat-1, had reached... More

Nepal upset with US embassy’s ‘Rajdut Sanga Guff Gaff’ Program!


Seems a serious debate is going on between the Government of Nepal and the US Embassy in Kathmandu. The Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its discontent for the US Embassy’s latest decision to launch a video series... More

Indians trying to rescue criminals arrested by Nepal Police has pointed serious...


Two different groups from India over the week tried to rescue two criminals arrested by Nepal Police in Rupandehi and Banke districts by crossing into the Nepali territory, resulting in violent scuffles. On May 16, a team of... More

Use of Chinese digital wallets banned in Nepal


Nepal on Tuesday said it has banned popular Chinese digital wallets Alipay and WeChat Pay to prevent the loss of foreign currency earnings from tens of thousands of Chinese tourists. More than 150,000 Chinese holidaymakers visited Nepal last... More

Chinese-built hydropower station in Nepal soon to become the country’s largest this...


The Upper Trishuli 3A Hydropower Project built by a Chinese construction and engineering company in Nepal saw a major breakthrough recently. After construction started in 2000, the first of the project's two turbines completed a 72-hour trial... More

Wither Nepal-India ties under Modi II


The re-election of Narendra Damodardas Modi as the Prime Minister of India could mark the beginning of several things on the foreign policy front vis-a-vis the immediate neighbors, including Nepal that go on to reshape the foreign... More

Tension flares up after Indians attack Nepalis in market


Nepal-India border Thori in Western Parsa remained tense after a group of Indian nationals ruthlessly thrashed Nepali people. According to the details provided by Area Police Office, Thori, Indian nationals assaulted Thori locals when they went to India... More

With latest draft bill, press freedom in Nepal under siege


With Nepal formulating hundreds of laws in line with the new constitution it adopted in 2015, there are growing national and international concerns over the curtailing of press freedom. Accusations have been flying thick and fast that... More

India should deliver on its projects in Nepal, not worry about Nepal...


Connectivity with China is an issue of bipartisan consensus in Nepal. Even if the opposition comes to power, they cannot entirely sway away from the current policy of pursuing better relations with China(AFP) Nepal has embraced the Belt... More

Nepal Police sets up two bureaus


Nepal Police has set up its Cyber Investigation Bureau at Bhotahity and the Human Trafficking Control Bureau at Babarmahal. These bureaus started operating from Bhotahity and Babarmahal from today, May 12. Before this, these two bureaus were operating... More

Nepal has a front-row seat to the great power competition in Asia

The Trump administration says Nepal is “central” to its strategy in the Indo-Pacific, but the small South Asian country is already home to a battle for influence between its giant neighbors: China and India. Why it matters Nepal is... More

Nepal inching toward China


In what appears to be a delicate balance between major powers, the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) led government of KP Sharma Oli is slowly but gradually taking steps to benefit economically from China. Two significant developments in recent... More

Nepalese President’s visit to China adds new chapter in China-Nepal ties


Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari's 8-day state visit to China has further consolidated China-Nepal relations, with both neighbors committed to cementing their multi-dimensional cooperation under the broader framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). During her visit,... More

COLUMN

Shame and defame: Using hybrid warfare against Chairman NAB

The major reason for the dismal economic situation of the country is corruption and the feudal-type nepotism that sustained it over decades has infested the state and its institutions. Making money from kickbacks by bureaucrats and politicians who are in a position of power, selling jobs and stealing public... More

Yangon’s smart metres: A step towards creating a smart city

Yangon city is introducing state of the art smart metres to control the electricity supply, monitor its usage and bill costumers in parts of the city – in one automated system. “It’s a step towards making Yangon a smart city and improving and extending e-government throughout Myanmar,” Myo Aung... More

India falls in line with others on Afghanistan

After swinging its Iran policy from ‘no dictate from the U.S.’ and compliance only with the U.N sanctions to completely ditching their purchase of oil from Iran and principally following the U.S. policy of isolating and crippling Iran’s economy, India has now also made a major change in its... More

Court ticks off Bangladesh Central Bank for being blatantly pro-rich

Bangladeshi farmers are facing a massive problem with their rice harvest facing low demand and a steep fall in prices. The distressing situation has led some farmers to burn their crops in anger. People are aghast that the agriculture sector can be in such a situation in what is billed... More

Effects of Saffron surge in West Bengal

Bengal and its poll outcome were clearly the sub-text to the 2019 Indian elections, if the main text was whether BJP under Prime Minister Narendra Modi could come back to power. The BJP is back in power in India and the country is set to witness another term of Modi. In... More

VIDEO-INTERVIEW

video

Exclusive Interview with Bhutan’s Prime Minister


“I will request PM Sheikh Hasina to support us with some (medical) specialists that will be an immediate help for Bhutan” Dr.Lotay Tshering Prime Minister of Bhutan Bhutan’s Prime Minister, Dr. Lotay Tshering, is set to visit Bangladesh on 12th... More

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All offices of the South Asian Monitor will remain close on June 04-07, 2019, on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.

There will be no publication of South Asian Monitor during this period.

South Asian Monitor wishes its readers and patrons a very happy Eid.

EID MUBARAK

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