The strategic interests of major powers in Nepal

Nepal's geopolitical location as a buffer state between the Asian giants India and China makes it a focal point for major global powers, including the United States and Russia. While publicly supporting Nepal's well-being, these nations pursue their own strategic interests, which are often debated within Nepal but rarely examined comprehensively.

India's engagement with Nepal is deeply rooted in geography, water resources, and political ties, formalized by the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship. New Delhi views Nepal as a crucial part of its northern security perimeter, with its intelligence agencies closely monitoring Nepal's internal political developments. Strategic stability in Nepal is paramount for India's security interests.

China's interest in Nepal intensified following the integration of Tibet into the People's Republic of China. Beijing's primary objective has been to prevent Tibetan refugee networks in Nepal from engaging in anti-China political activities. Over time, China's engagement has broadened to include infrastructure development under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and fostering party-to-party relations, aiming for a stable, independent Nepal that safeguards China's core interests.

The United States traditionally views Nepal through the lens of democratic governance and maintaining a strategic balance in Asia. During the Cold War, U.S. interests were linked to Tibetan operations and regional surveillance. Post-Cold War, Washington shifted its focus to promoting democratic institutions, development assistance, and military cooperation, aligning with its extended Pacific Strategy. This support for initiatives like the Millennium Challenge Corporation and continued backing for the Tibetan government-in-exile are viewed by China as part of a strategic encirclement.

Russia, historically, has maintained a more restrained but significant relationship with Nepal. Soviet engagement centered on educational exchanges, industrial cooperation, and diplomatic balancing in South Asia, including support for scientific and technical training. Soviet institutions monitored political developments, often through the prism of competition with the West.