China’s vaccine diplomacy as well as the railway project in Nepal are aimed only at geo-strategic gains
The recent non-disclosure agreement by the Government of Nepal to procure COVID-19 vaccines from China shows a loosely conducted diplomacy by the Himalayan country. The non-disclosure agreement comes after Chinese vaccine manufacturer Sinopharm conveyed its displeasure on media reports questioning the procurement details. The Chinese embassy in Nepal had strongly objected to the reports in mid-June. As a result, the Foreign Ministry in Kathmandu released a statement cautioning the media about misinterpreting the procurement details. Interestingly, the future consignment of the Chinese vaccines to Nepal was projected on the lines of a grant from China. However, it was soon found that Sinopharm was supplying each dose to Nepal at a reported $10. It was clearly not good for China’s image as it was seen using vaccine diplomacy to project global goodwill. Noteworthy, Nepal is in dire need of vaccines after the second wave in April and May. Lately, it has requested all global players, including the UK and the US, for vaccine supply. While others are in the process of supplying vaccines, China seems to be encashing the acute humanitarian crisis.
It is a clear case of falsehood in Chinese diplomatic manoeuvrings to find economic opportunity even in humanitarian crisis. While China claims to be an unconditional newfound love for Nepal, its intentions are clearly based on tapping the geo-strategic gains. In a recent report, the State-owned Global Times stated that since 2012, development projects in the Tibet Autonomous Region have aimed at increasing regional connectivity with closer outreach with Nepal through the trans-Himalayan railway network. Since the day the railway network was announced in 2019, it has run into controversy due to the nature of Chinese investment. With Sri Lanka ostensibly walking through the door into the Chinese debt trap, Nepal should engage with China transparently in compliance with the values of democracy. The people of Nepal need to know whether vaccines or railways coming from China are providing business to Nepal or, indeed, these are reaching on a grant/donation basis to benefit and help them. Meanwhile, it will not be the first time that Nepal has succumbed to Chinese pressure. However, considering the current state of political affairs in Nepal, it can well be said that Prime Minister KP Oli has little to offer in terms of stable politics, welfare, development or mature diplomacy.