AI
Wednesday, August 03, 2005 1:19:38 AM
China throws its weight behind Nepal king
China’s wooing of Nepal is taking place as India apparently with Bush’s blessing is instituting a more aggressive offensive in nearby Kashmir.
The Indian government announced the use of air force against militants the day Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh returned from his visit to the United States.
From the moment they took office, President George Bush and his administration were keen to do everything they could to counter the expanding Chinese military, one way being to develop a relationship with India.
#msg-7086905
-Am
China throws its weight behind Nepal king
Sudeshna Sarkar, Indo-Asian News Service
Kathmandu, August 1, 2005/22:16 IST
Even as the US and India have criticised Nepal for jailing sacked prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on corruption charges, China has thrown its weight behind King Gyanendra, pledging to consolidate bilateral ties.
A series of messages exchanged between the leaders of the two countries was made public Monday, which also marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two neighbouring countries.
Chinese President Hu Jintao sent a message to King Gyanendra on the occasion, saying Beijing was willing to "further promote traditional friendship (and) deepen exchange and cooperation in various fields".
While India-Nepal relations tend to blow hot and cold and support for each other at UN and other fora remains uncertain, Beijing, by contrast, has established itself as Kathmandu's "all weather friend".
"China-Nepal relations have stood the test of the changes of international vicissitudes and made steady headway," the Chinese leader said. "We both always understand and support each other in regional and international affairs."
From a bilateral issue, Beijing is now seeing Sino-Nepal relations as a regional factor that is also "conducive to the peace, stability and development in South Asia".
This is the second official message sent in July by the Chinese president to Gyanendra.
The earlier one, sent July 7 on the occasion of the king's 59th birthday, assured Beijing's support despite Gyanendra's assumption of direct control of the government through a bloodless coup in February.
After Pakistan, China was the first foreign country to send a senior representative to Nepal following the royal coup.
Beijing's support was further underlined by Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing to his Nepalese counterpart Ramesh Nath Pandey.
"China-Nepal relations have become an example for countries with different social systems to get along (in a) friendly (way)," Li said in a message
Monday.
After Li's visit in March, Pandey is going to Beijing on a week-long visit from Aug 13.
Nepal's Information and Communications Minister and government spokesman Tanka Dhakal went to Beijing last month on the invitation of the Chinese government.
There has been no invitation from India so far though Gyanendra had shown his keenness to visit New Delhi last year.
Moreover, on July 7, when Nepal also celebrated its National Day, there was no message from the Indian External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Singh.
The omission is likely to be noted by Nepal especially as India is seeking Kathmandu's support in its bid for permanent membership of the UN Security Council.
--Indo-Asian News Service
ss/ur
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/7598_1448324,000500020003.htm
China’s wooing of Nepal is taking place as India apparently with Bush’s blessing is instituting a more aggressive offensive in nearby Kashmir.
The Indian government announced the use of air force against militants the day Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh returned from his visit to the United States.
From the moment they took office, President George Bush and his administration were keen to do everything they could to counter the expanding Chinese military, one way being to develop a relationship with India.
#msg-7086905
-Am
China throws its weight behind Nepal king
Sudeshna Sarkar, Indo-Asian News Service
Kathmandu, August 1, 2005/22:16 IST
Even as the US and India have criticised Nepal for jailing sacked prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on corruption charges, China has thrown its weight behind King Gyanendra, pledging to consolidate bilateral ties.
A series of messages exchanged between the leaders of the two countries was made public Monday, which also marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two neighbouring countries.
Chinese President Hu Jintao sent a message to King Gyanendra on the occasion, saying Beijing was willing to "further promote traditional friendship (and) deepen exchange and cooperation in various fields".
While India-Nepal relations tend to blow hot and cold and support for each other at UN and other fora remains uncertain, Beijing, by contrast, has established itself as Kathmandu's "all weather friend".
"China-Nepal relations have stood the test of the changes of international vicissitudes and made steady headway," the Chinese leader said. "We both always understand and support each other in regional and international affairs."
From a bilateral issue, Beijing is now seeing Sino-Nepal relations as a regional factor that is also "conducive to the peace, stability and development in South Asia".
This is the second official message sent in July by the Chinese president to Gyanendra.
The earlier one, sent July 7 on the occasion of the king's 59th birthday, assured Beijing's support despite Gyanendra's assumption of direct control of the government through a bloodless coup in February.
After Pakistan, China was the first foreign country to send a senior representative to Nepal following the royal coup.
Beijing's support was further underlined by Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing to his Nepalese counterpart Ramesh Nath Pandey.
"China-Nepal relations have become an example for countries with different social systems to get along (in a) friendly (way)," Li said in a message
Monday.
After Li's visit in March, Pandey is going to Beijing on a week-long visit from Aug 13.
Nepal's Information and Communications Minister and government spokesman Tanka Dhakal went to Beijing last month on the invitation of the Chinese government.
There has been no invitation from India so far though Gyanendra had shown his keenness to visit New Delhi last year.
Moreover, on July 7, when Nepal also celebrated its National Day, there was no message from the Indian External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Singh.
The omission is likely to be noted by Nepal especially as India is seeking Kathmandu's support in its bid for permanent membership of the UN Security Council.
--Indo-Asian News Service
ss/ur
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/7598_1448324,000500020003.htm
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