ORCA-NIICE Webinar: Public Perception & Strategic Realities in Nepal Amidst India-China Competition

Date: 24th April 2025 Theme: Balancing Public Perception with Strategic Realities in Nepal Amidst India-China Competition Speakers: Mr. Omkar Bhole, Senior Research Associate, Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA) | Emerging India-China Dynamics in Nepal: Insights from a Public Perception Survey Dr. Deepak Prakash Bhatt, Former Member of Parliament, House of Representatives, Nepal | Changing Dynamics of Nepal's Balancing act between India and China Dr. Amit Ranjan, Research Fellow, National University of Singapore (NUS) | The China Factor in India’s Public Diplomacy in Nepal Ms. Shivam Shekhawat, Junior Fellow, Observer Research Foundation (ORF) | Prospects of India's Development Diplomacy in Nepal and the BRI Challenge Moderator: Mr. Rahul Karan Reddy, Senior Research Associate, Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA) Webinar Concept Note: Nepal sits at the strategic crossroads of South Asia, navigating its ties between two regional giants — India and China. India continues to play the role of primary development partner in Nepal that not just includes trade, investments and development assistance, but also in terms of offering education and employment opportunities in different sectors. China has also emerged as an important player in Nepal through its economic engagements and public diplomacy outreach, competing with India for influence. More so, the continued political instability in Nepal, coupled with its balancing strategy between two neighbours, has often prompted it to play the ‘China card’ at the expense of its relations with India. Along with geopolitical dynamics between these powers, public perception in Nepal also plays a crucial role in defining its foreign policy choices as democracy progresses in Nepal. For instance, Nepali people’s continuing perceptions of India surrounding the 2015 blockade or border dispute in recent past have influenced policy decisions at the highest level. Even though India’s public diplomacy strategy has been able to maintain a positive image among Nepali people, it certainly requires recalibration owing to emerging socio-economic aspirations and uncertainties in Nepal. Thus, understanding how Nepali citizens view competition between India and China, and assessing how these perceptions align (or diverge) from geopolitical realities in the region, is critical for scholars and policymakers both in India and Nepal to reorient their respective foreign policies. In this regard, the webinar discussed public perception in Nepal vis-a-vis its ties with India and China based on ORCA’s recent survey conducted in Kathmandu. The evolving trends in Nepal’s public sentiments were evaluated in the context of Nepal’s changing strategic environment. This discussion also delved into Nepal’s evolving foreign policy strategy as both of its Himalayan neighbours aim to expand their influence in the region. The webinar ideated recommendations necessary for India to reorient its public diplomacy strategy to bridge gaps between popular opinion in Nepal and India’s actions, thereby fulfilling Nepal’s development aspirations. Read ORCA's Reports based on Public Perception Surveys conducted in Kathmandu in April 2023 and January 2025: • A Survey of Public Opinion in Nepal: India and China in Competition by ORCA's Senior RA Rahul Karan Reddy https://orcasia.org/article/376/a-survey-of-public-opinion-in-nepal-india-and-china-in-competition • Balancing the Himalayan Neighbours: Unpacking Nepal's Public Perception of India and China by ORCA's Senior RA Omkar Bhole https://orcasia.org/article/1110/balancing-the-himalayan-neighbours-unpacking-nepals-public-perception-of-india-and-china Visit ORCA's Website to read our analysis on a range of topic related to China and Asia: https://orcasia.org/ Follow the Organisation for Research on China and Asia on Social Media: Twitter: https://x.com/ORCA_India LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/orcasia/posts/?feedView=all Substack: https://orcasia.substack.com/