New Nepal PM is 'pro-China', says Chinese official media

Beijing, Oct 16: The new Prime Minister of Nepal K P Sharma Oli is "pro-China" and is "expected to keep closer ties" with the Communist nation despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to boost ties with it, according to the Chinese official media.

"(Prime Minister Narendra) Modi has made efforts to develop friendly relations with neighbouring countries since he came to office (in May last year). This has contributed to the change of diplomatic landscape of South Asian nations," an said an article in the State-run Global Times.

"Instead of keeping a distance from India, they (South Asian nations) are gradually moving to strike a balance between India and China.

This is the broad regional environment Nepal is facing. Despite this, Kathmandu under Oli's governance is expected to keep closer ties with Beijing," added the article titled 'Nepal warms toward China as new Beijing-friendly coalition takes power'.

The article, written just five days after the new government took over in Nepal, said the previous coalition government headed by Nepali Congress Party was "customarily perceived as pro-India" while Oli is "pro-China".

"Many Nepalese are very friendly and willing to cooperate with Beijing. Kathmandu, under Oli governance is expected to have close ties with Beijing which is to the benefits of both the nations," it said.

Until CPN came to power, Nepal, mostly ruled by the NCP, was a "fervent follower of New Delhi while remaining tepid towards Beijing.

However, CPN despite its short term in office, transformed the nation's attitude towards India and China," said the article written by Xu Liang, Executive Director at the India Studies Centre of the State-run Beijing International Studies University.

PTI