China has made moves to prevent a split in Nepal Communist Party and pacify feuding camps in Nepal Communist Party. A high-level delegation arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday to "take stock" of political turmoil in Nepal. Factions within Nepal Communist Party led by current Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and party heavyweight Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' are battling with each other. The Chinese delegation is led by a vice minister of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Although no specific details about the agenda of the visit are available, the four-member delegation, led by Vice Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Guo Yezhou, will hold high-level talks during its stay in Kathmandu, My Republica newspaper reported, citing senior Nepal Communist Party leaders.

Quoting a diplomatic source, it said the visit is aimed at "taking stock of Nepal's evolving political situation after the dissolution of the House of Representatives and subsequent split in the ruling Nepal Communist Party amid already-deepened intra-party rift".

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-dispatch-nepal-headed-for-snap-polls-rival-faction-expels-pm-oli-351630/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Oli is considered to have pro-Beijing leanings. In a surprise move, he dissolved the 275-member lower house of Nepal Parliament last Sunday.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-oli-recommends-calling-parliament-winter-session-on-january-1-352535">Nepal: Oli recommends calling Parliament winter session on January 1</a> 
 
Acting on the prime minister's recommendation, President Bidya Devi Bhandari dissolved the House the same day and announced fresh elections on April 30 and May 10, sparking protests from a large section of the NCP led by Prachanda, also a co-chair of the ruling party.

China tight-lipped about the visit

Chinese embassy in Kathmandu and Chinese foreign ministry are tight-lipped about Chinese delegation's visit to Kathmandu, said the media report in My Reporter.

Earlier this week, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Hou Yanqi, had communicated about the visit of Guo to Kathmandu during her meetings with senior NCP leaders of both the Prachanda- and Oli-led factions.

Vice Minister Guo is scheduled to hold meetings with the leaders of both factions.

Beijing appears concerned over the move of Oli to dissolve the House of Representatives and the evolving political situation that saw a vertical split in the NCP. Shortly after the dissolution of the House, the Chinese ambassador expedited her meetings with top political leadership in Nepal.

Hou has already held meetings with President Bhandari, senior NCP leaders Prachanda and Madhav Kumar Nepal, former House speakers Krishna Bahadur Mahara and Barsha Man Pun, among others.

This is not the first time that China has intervened in Nepal's internal affairs at a time of crisis.

(With PTI inputs)

China has made moves to prevent a split in Nepal Communist Party and pacify feuding camps in Nepal Communist Party. A high-level delegation arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday to "take stock" of political turmoil in Nepal.

China has made moves to prevent a split in Nepal Communist Party and pacify feuding camps in Nepal Communist Party. A high-level delegation arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday to "take stock" of political turmoil in Nepal. Factions within Nepal Communist Party led by current Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and party heavyweight Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' are battling with each other. The Chinese delegation is led by a vice minister of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Although no specific details about the agenda of the visit are available, the four-member delegation, led by Vice Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Guo Yezhou, will hold high-level talks during its stay in Kathmandu, My Republica newspaper reported, citing senior Nepal Communist Party leaders. Quoting a diplomatic source, it said the visit is aimed at "taking stock of Nepal's evolving political situation after the dissolution of the House of Representatives and subsequent split in the ruling Nepal Communist Party amid already-deepened intra-party rift". × Oli is considered to have pro-Beijing leanings. In a surprise move, he dissolved the 275-member lower house of Nepal Parliament last Sunday. Also Read | Nepal: Oli recommends calling Parliament winter session on January 1 Acting on the prime minister's recommendation, President Bidya Devi Bhandari dissolved the House the same day and announced fresh elections on April 30 and May 10, sparking protests from a large section of the NCP led by Prachanda, also a co-chair of the ruling party. China tight-lipped about the visit Chinese embassy in Kathmandu and Chinese foreign ministry are tight-lipped about Chinese delegation's visit to Kathmandu, said the media report in My Reporter. Earlier this week, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Hou Yanqi, had communicated about the visit of Guo to Kathmandu during her meetings with senior NCP leaders of both the Prachanda- and Oli-led factions. Vice Minister Guo is scheduled to hold meetings with the leaders of both factions. Beijing appears concerned over the move of Oli to dissolve the House of Representatives and the evolving political situation that saw a vertical split in the NCP. Shortly after the dissolution of the House, the Chinese ambassador expedited her meetings with top political leadership in Nepal. Hou has already held meetings with President Bhandari, senior NCP leaders Prachanda and Madhav Kumar Nepal, former House speakers Krishna Bahadur Mahara and Barsha Man Pun, among others. This is not the first time that China has intervened in Nepal's internal affairs at a time of crisis. (With PTI inputs)

China steps in to stop war within Nepal Communist Party

Nepal's ruling communist party leaders on Tuesday once again failed to negotiate a power-sharing deal between Oli and executive chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', who convened a meeting of the powerful Standing Committee despite the former's decision to postpone it, thus highlighting&nbsp;a widening rift in the party.

Prachanda and some senior leaders barged into the Prime Minister's official residence at Baluwatar at around 11 am for the scheduled meeting of the 45-member Standing Committee of the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) to iron out the differences between the two warring factions.

It appears that Nepal's Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli has lost all direction when it comes to his political career after he botched the map fixing under Chinese influence.

However, Prime Minister's press advisor Surya Thapa said the meeting was postponed. But Matrika Yadav, a Standing Committee member, said the meeting would be held at any cost, even if Prime Minister Oli refused to attend, the Kathmandu Post reported.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepals-ruling-party-leaders-fail-to-negotiate-power-sharing-deal-between-oli-and-prachanda-316589">Nepal's ruling party leaders fail to negotiate power-sharing deal between Oli and Prachanda</a>

Prachanda and senior party leader Jhalanath Khanal then went to meet Oli only to return to the meeting hall after the latter told them to do whatever they wished to, the paper said.

At the meeting hall, Prachanda briefed the Standing Committee members about his talks with Oli.&nbsp;The Standing Committee members close to Oli did not attend the unilateral meeting convened by Prachanda. However, 29 Standing Committee members and two invitees were present at the meeting, which started at around 3:00 pm and lasted for one hour, party sources said.

Standing Committee member Ganesh Shah said the meeting was postponed as the two leaders need more time for informal consultations to sort out their differences. The meetings of the Standing Committee have been postponed for nine times since June 24.

"It was against the party statute and inappropriate for PM Oli to postpone the meeting unilaterally," Party spokesperson Narayankaji Shrestha told reporters.

"Today's meeting did not discuss the party's agenda but it decided to hand over the responsibility of convening another Standing Committee meeting to party chairman Prachanda after consulting with the prime minister," he said.

Those who spoke on the occasion criticised Prime Minister Oli, according to a member of the Standing Committee.&nbsp;Subsequently, the party decided to convene another meeting a week later, on July 28, to review its activities, the government's performance, finalising division of work among party's cadres and leaders, and proposed general convention among other issues.

A bitter internal feud has been brewing in the ruling NCP since the last few weeks after top party leaders, including Prachanda, demanded Oli's resignation, saying his recent anti-India remarks were "neither politically correct nor diplomatically appropriate." They are also against Oli's autocratic style of functioning.

The differences grew further after Oli said that some of the ruling party leaders are aligning with the southern neighbour to remove him from power after his government issued a new political map incorporating three Indian territories of Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura.

Prachanda on Monday last week said efforts were going on to resolve the intra-party differences and ruled out an early general convention of the party as proposed by embattled Prime Minister Oli.

Oli and Prachanda have held at least eight meetings in recent weeks to sort out the differences between them. But, as the Prime Minister did not accept the condition of a one-man-one-post, the talks failed. Oli has refused to give up his post as prime minister as well as a co-chairman of the NCP.

Nepal's ruling communist party leaders on Tuesday once again failed to negotiate a power-sharing deal between Oli and executive chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', who convened a meeting of the powerful Standing Committee despite the former's decision to postpone it, thus highlighting a widening rift in the party.

Nepal's ruling communist party leaders on Tuesday once again failed to negotiate a power-sharing deal between Oli and executive chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', who convened a meeting of the powerful Standing Committee despite the former's decision to postpone it, thus highlighting a widening rift in the party. Prachanda and some senior leaders barged into the Prime Minister's official residence at Baluwatar at around 11 am for the scheduled meeting of the 45-member Standing Committee of the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) to iron out the differences between the two warring factions. It appears that Nepal's Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli has lost all direction when it comes to his political career after he botched the map fixing under Chinese influence. However, Prime Minister's press advisor Surya Thapa said the meeting was postponed. But Matrika Yadav, a Standing Committee member, said the meeting would be held at any cost, even if Prime Minister Oli refused to attend, the Kathmandu Post reported. Also read: Nepal's ruling party leaders fail to negotiate power-sharing deal between Oli and Prachanda Prachanda and senior party leader Jhalanath Khanal then went to meet Oli only to return to the meeting hall after the latter told them to do whatever they wished to, the paper said. At the meeting hall, Prachanda briefed the Standing Committee members about his talks with Oli. The Standing Committee members close to Oli did not attend the unilateral meeting convened by Prachanda. However, 29 Standing Committee members and two invitees were present at the meeting, which started at around 3:00 pm and lasted for one hour, party sources said. Standing Committee member Ganesh Shah said the meeting was postponed as the two leaders need more time for informal consultations to sort out their differences. The meetings of the Standing Committee have been postponed for nine times since June 24. "It was against the party statute and inappropriate for PM Oli to postpone the meeting unilaterally," Party spokesperson Narayankaji Shrestha told reporters. "Today's meeting did not discuss the party's agenda but it decided to hand over the responsibility of convening another Standing Committee meeting to party chairman Prachanda after consulting with the prime minister," he said. Those who spoke on the occasion criticised Prime Minister Oli, according to a member of the Standing Committee. Subsequently, the party decided to convene another meeting a week later, on July 28, to review its activities, the government's performance, finalising division of work among party's cadres and leaders, and proposed general convention among other issues. A bitter internal feud has been brewing in the ruling NCP since the last few weeks after top party leaders, including Prachanda, demanded Oli's resignation, saying his recent anti-India remarks were "neither politically correct nor diplomatically appropriate." They are also against Oli's autocratic style of functioning. The differences grew further after Oli said that some of the ruling party leaders are aligning with the southern neighbour to remove him from power after his government issued a new political map incorporating three Indian territories of Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura. Prachanda on Monday last week said efforts were going on to resolve the intra-party differences and ruled out an early general convention of the party as proposed by embattled Prime Minister Oli. Oli and Prachanda have held at least eight meetings in recent weeks to sort out the differences between them. But, as the Prime Minister did not accept the condition of a one-man-one-post, the talks failed. Oli has refused to give up his post as prime minister as well as a co-chairman of the NCP.

Rift widens as Prachanda convenes Standing Committee meeting in Nepal without PM Oli

Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda, co-chairman of the ruling Communist Party of Nepal, said on Friday that Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli was adamant in dividing the party amid serious differences between them over the power-sharing agreement.

"Oli inciting party workers against me," says Nepal's Former PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda

A significant meeting of the ruling Nepal Communist Party will decide the political future of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli. The meeting was once again delayed on Wednesday till Friday to allow more time for the top leaders to reach a power-sharing deal amid the heightened intra-party rift and his anti-India remarks.

Nepal’s ruling communist party’s meet to decide PM Oli's future

The Nepal Communist Party standing committee meeting which was scheduled to take place today has been postponed again. The talks were postponed after PM KP Sharma Oli refused to attend the meeting. Watch report.

Nepal's Communist party meet delayed as PM Oli refused to attend meet

The ruling Nepal Communist Party seems to have survived the imminent danger of a split for now, as party chairs KP Sharma Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal are close to a deal.

Report: Dahal-Oli close to a deal, Is Dahal under China's pressure?

Nepal PM addresses the nation, plays down dissent in the party. KP Sharma Oli focuses on nationalism amid the political rift. Watch this video to know more.

Nepal PM addresses the nation, plays down dissent in the party

The standing committee meeting of Nepalese Communist Party (NCP) was postponed yet again for one week. Nepal's ruling communist party appeared to be heading for a split as Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and party executive chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' failed to iron out their differences despite holding over half-a-dozen meetings in a week.

Nepal: Standing committee meeting postponed once again

Nepal: NCP standing committee meet that suppose to decide KP Sharma Oli's fate, postponed till July 06. Watch this report!

Nepal: NCP standing committee meet that suppose to decide KP Sharma Oli's fate, postponed!

Nepal&#39;s ruling party has merged with a former Maoist rebel group to form a super bloc that experts say will reshape politics after years of turbulence in the Himalayan nation.

Officials said Tuesday the new alliance, the Nepal Communist Party, was formally signed into agreement following late-night negotiations between the two sides Monday.

They forged a political alliance to trounce the incumbent party in last year&#39;s landmark general elections, but this formal merger creates a political behemoth unprecedented in Nepali politics.

&quot;This is an agreement to merge, but there are other issues we need to conclude before we completely unify,&quot; senior Maoist leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha told AFP, adding the transition process was expected to take at least a month.

The new alliance commands a large majority in both houses of parliament and comes just days after Communist leader KP&nbsp;Sharma Oli was sworn in as prime minister.

Oli&#39;s main Communist party and the Maoists heavily defeated the incumbent Nepali Congress party in polls last year billed as the final step in a post-war transformation to a federal republic.

The Maoists, who fought government forces in a bitter civil war that claimed more than 16,000 lives and overthrew Nepal&#39;s 240-year-old Hindu monarchy, dominated politics for more than two decades.

The decade-long conflict ended in a 2006 peace deal that saw guerrilla leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal become Nepal&#39;s first post-war prime minister.

But their political support has waned in recent years, with their party ranking third in last year&#39;s general elections.

Political historian Aditya Adhikari said the merger was a &quot;rare union&quot; between two sides with starkly different backgrounds.

The ruling Communist party is older and considered more conservative than its new partners in the Maoists, who have pursued more progressive politics in the post-war era.

&quot;If they manage to stick together it will change the future of Nepal&#39;s politics,&quot; said Adhikari, author of &quot;The Bullet and the Ballot Box&quot;, a history of Nepal&#39;s Maoist struggle.&nbsp;

&quot;But they will likely function as a coalition or two factions within a party, negotiating power sharing.&quot;

A rumoured agreement to share power between Prime Minister Oli and Dahal, the Maoist leader, has provoked criticism amid concern this alliance could destabilise politics down the track.

Brittle alliances have been struck between Nepal&#39;s three dominant parties since 2008, and there are fears this latest merger could prolong the revolving door nature of the country&#39;s politics.

Oli has been prime minister once before, while Dahal has served in the top office twice.

Many voters cast ballots in last year&#39;s elections hoping for stability and much-needed development in the impoverished Himalayan nation.

The last government -- a coalition between the Maoists and the Nepali Congress party -- was the country&#39;s ninth in just 11 years before the alliance fractured.

Experts say the alliance will reshape politics after years of turbulence in the Himalayan nation

Nepal's ruling party has merged with a former Maoist rebel group to form a super bloc that experts say will reshape politics after years of turbulence in the Himalayan nation. Officials said Tuesday the new alliance, the Nepal Communist Party, was formally signed into agreement following late-night negotiations between the two sides Monday. They forged a political alliance to trounce the incumbent party in last year's landmark general elections, but this formal merger creates a political behemoth unprecedented in Nepali politics. "This is an agreement to merge, but there are other issues we need to conclude before we completely unify," senior Maoist leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha told AFP, adding the transition process was expected to take at least a month. The new alliance commands a large majority in both houses of parliament and comes just days after Communist leader KP Sharma Oli was sworn in as prime minister. Oli's main Communist party and the Maoists heavily defeated the incumbent Nepali Congress party in polls last year billed as the final step in a post-war transformation to a federal republic. The Maoists, who fought government forces in a bitter civil war that claimed more than 16,000 lives and overthrew Nepal's 240-year-old Hindu monarchy, dominated politics for more than two decades. The decade-long conflict ended in a 2006 peace deal that saw guerrilla leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal become Nepal's first post-war prime minister. But their political support has waned in recent years, with their party ranking third in last year's general elections. Political historian Aditya Adhikari said the merger was a "rare union" between two sides with starkly different backgrounds. The ruling Communist party is older and considered more conservative than its new partners in the Maoists, who have pursued more progressive politics in the post-war era. "If they manage to stick together it will change the future of Nepal's politics," said Adhikari, author of "The Bullet and the Ballot Box", a history of Nepal's Maoist struggle. "But they will likely function as a coalition or two factions within a party, negotiating power sharing." A rumoured agreement to share power between Prime Minister Oli and Dahal, the Maoist leader, has provoked criticism amid concern this alliance could destabilise politics down the track. Brittle alliances have been struck between Nepal's three dominant parties since 2008, and there are fears this latest merger could prolong the revolving door nature of the country's politics. Oli has been prime minister once before, while Dahal has served in the top office twice. Many voters cast ballots in last year's elections hoping for stability and much-needed development in the impoverished Himalayan nation. The last government -- a coalition between the Maoists and the Nepali Congress party -- was the country's ninth in just 11 years before the alliance fractured.

Nepal's ruling party merges into super bloc with Maoists

Veteran Nepalese politician Sher Bahadur Deuba is set to become the country&#39;s prime minister for the fourth time as he is the sole candidate in the election slated to take place later today.

Deuba, President of the Nepali Congress party, became the sole candidate in the prime ministerial race, after the main opposition CPN-UML decided not to field its candidate.

The voting is said to be a mere formality to pave his way for the post, Kathmandu Post reported.

Outgoing Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal of the CPN (Maoist Centre) proposed Deuba&#39;s candidacy while senior NC leader Ram Chandra Poudel seconded the proposal at the Parliament Secretariat which on Friday published the schedule to elect the new prime minister on majority basis.

Deuba, 70, needs to secure 297 votes in the 593-strong Parliament to prove his majority during today&#39;s election, and with the NC-Maoist Centre alliance enjoying 287 seats in Parliament and four other parties supporting the alliance having 21 seats, it looks plain sailing for Deuba, the report said.

Deuba served as the prime minister from 1995 to 1997, from 2001 to 2002, and from 2004 to 2005.

However, the election process may get postponed as the main opposition CPN (Maoist Centre) has been protesting against the Election Commission&#39;s decision to conduct re- election in a ward.

The EC called for re-election after the CPN (Maoist Centre) representatives allegedly tore ballot papers when vote counting was underway.

The House meeting summoned for 11 am today was postponed to 3 pm today after the CPN-UML&#39;s protest.

Prachanda resigned on May 24 after a brief stint of nine months, honouring a power sharing understanding with the ruling coalition partner Nepali Congress to hand over the country&#39;s leadership to the largest party in Parliament.

(PTI)

Deuba became the sole candidate in the race after the main opposition CPN-UML decided not to field its candidate

Veteran Nepalese politician Sher Bahadur Deuba is set to become the country's prime minister for the fourth time as he is the sole candidate in the election slated to take place later today. Deuba, President of the Nepali Congress party, became the sole candidate in the prime ministerial race, after the main opposition CPN-UML decided not to field its candidate. The voting is said to be a mere formality to pave his way for the post, Kathmandu Post reported. Outgoing Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal of the CPN (Maoist Centre) proposed Deuba's candidacy while senior NC leader Ram Chandra Poudel seconded the proposal at the Parliament Secretariat which on Friday published the schedule to elect the new prime minister on majority basis. Deuba, 70, needs to secure 297 votes in the 593-strong Parliament to prove his majority during today's election, and with the NC-Maoist Centre alliance enjoying 287 seats in Parliament and four other parties supporting the alliance having 21 seats, it looks plain sailing for Deuba, the report said. Deuba served as the prime minister from 1995 to 1997, from 2001 to 2002, and from 2004 to 2005. However, the election process may get postponed as the main opposition CPN (Maoist Centre) has been protesting against the Election Commission's decision to conduct re- election in a ward. The EC called for re-election after the CPN (Maoist Centre) representatives allegedly tore ballot papers when vote counting was underway. The House meeting summoned for 11 am today was postponed to 3 pm today after the CPN-UML's protest. Prachanda resigned on May 24 after a brief stint of nine months, honouring a power sharing understanding with the ruling coalition partner Nepali Congress to hand over the country's leadership to the largest party in Parliament. (PTI)

Sher Bahadur Deuba becomes sole candidate in Nepal prime ministerial race

Nepal prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Friday reiterated readiness to participate in China&#39;s ambitious &quot;One Belt, One Road&quot; initiative, saying his country wanted to be benefited from the endeavour.&nbsp;

The prime minister, at his meeting with the Chinese minister of state administration for industry and commerce Zhang Mao, expressed confidence that the development project could benefit the land-locked country.

The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiatives are aimed at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa, along the ancient trade routes of Silk Road.

The prime minister assured their active participation in Chinese President Xi Jinping&#39;s pet projects. &quot;Relationship between Nepal and China has remained trouble-free for ages and needs to be further strengthened. I believe that frequent exchanges of high-level visits help to enhance our ties,&quot; foreign relations advisor to the Prime Minister Rishi Raj Adhikari quoted Dahal.&nbsp;

The visiting Chinese minister lauded the conducive environment for Chinese companies and the timely implementation of Nepal-China joint projects. With nearly three billion people inhabiting areas covered by the proposed economic belt, it represents the biggest market in the world with unparalleled potential.

(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said the trade network will greatly benefit Nepal and further strengthen ties with China

Nepal prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Friday reiterated readiness to participate in China's ambitious "One Belt, One Road" initiative, saying his country wanted to be benefited from the endeavour. The prime minister, at his meeting with the Chinese minister of state administration for industry and commerce Zhang Mao, expressed confidence that the development project could benefit the land-locked country. The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiatives are aimed at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa, along the ancient trade routes of Silk Road. The prime minister assured their active participation in Chinese President Xi Jinping's pet projects. "Relationship between Nepal and China has remained trouble-free for ages and needs to be further strengthened. I believe that frequent exchanges of high-level visits help to enhance our ties," foreign relations advisor to the Prime Minister Rishi Raj Adhikari quoted Dahal. The visiting Chinese minister lauded the conducive environment for Chinese companies and the timely implementation of Nepal-China joint projects. With nearly three billion people inhabiting areas covered by the proposed economic belt, it represents the biggest market in the world with unparalleled potential. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Nepal keen to join China's 'One Belt One Road' initiative

Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Saturday assured a resolution to the five-month long Madhesi protests and the shortage of essential supplies in the land-locked country.&nbsp; 
 
Dahal refrained from giving a timeline to resolve the issue but said the government will ensure that the legitimate demands of the Madhesi community are accommodated within the framework of the Constitution.&nbsp; 
 
On the third day of his visit to New Delhi, Dahal told reporters, &quot;After the formation of the new government, we have started conversations with madhesi morcha, janjanati leaders and others in a very cordial and positive environment to bring consent among the parties. I think within some time the problem will be solved.&quot; 
 
Before coming to India, the Prime Minister held a discussion with leaders from the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) and Federal Alliance (FA).&nbsp; 
 
PM Dahal had claimed that the government will register a constitution amendment proposal at the Legislature-Parliament. 
 
He said the Nepalese government was holding sincere talks with the community and he was confident that the Constitution will emerge as a historical achievement for all sections. 
 
&quot;We are holding talks with them (Madhesis). Before coming here, we had a meeting with them. Talks are going forward in a cordial environment. I am confident that a positive solution to the problem will be found soon,&quot; Dahal said.&nbsp; 
 
The Madhesis had alleged that certain provisions of the newly-adopted Constitution politically marginalised the community. The protests that stretched for almost five months had led to the closure of key trading points with India.&nbsp; 
 
The mostly Indian origin community had sought New Delhi&#39;s intervention on the issue. But Dahal asserted that amendment to their Constitution is an internal process.&nbsp; 
 
He said &quot;I have never seen Madhesi agitation by linking it with anyone. I was also leader of Madhesi protest.&quot; 
 
Dahal termed his visit to India a success, saying there is a convergence between India&#39;s neighbourhood first policy and his government&#39;s top priority in improving ties with the neighbours. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kumar Dahal said his government is willing to accommodate legitimate demands of the Madhesi community

Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Saturday assured a resolution to the five-month long Madhesi protests and the shortage of essential supplies in the land-locked country. Dahal refrained from giving a timeline to resolve the issue but said the government will ensure that the legitimate demands of the Madhesi community are accommodated within the framework of the Constitution. On the third day of his visit to New Delhi, Dahal told reporters, "After the formation of the new government, we have started conversations with madhesi morcha, janjanati leaders and others in a very cordial and positive environment to bring consent among the parties. I think within some time the problem will be solved." Before coming to India, the Prime Minister held a discussion with leaders from the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) and Federal Alliance (FA). PM Dahal had claimed that the government will register a constitution amendment proposal at the Legislature-Parliament. He said the Nepalese government was holding sincere talks with the community and he was confident that the Constitution will emerge as a historical achievement for all sections. "We are holding talks with them (Madhesis). Before coming here, we had a meeting with them. Talks are going forward in a cordial environment. I am confident that a positive solution to the problem will be found soon," Dahal said. The Madhesis had alleged that certain provisions of the newly-adopted Constitution politically marginalised the community. The protests that stretched for almost five months had led to the closure of key trading points with India. The mostly Indian origin community had sought New Delhi's intervention on the issue. But Dahal asserted that amendment to their Constitution is an internal process. He said "I have never seen Madhesi agitation by linking it with anyone. I was also leader of Madhesi protest." Dahal termed his visit to India a success, saying there is a convergence between India's neighbourhood first policy and his government's top priority in improving ties with the neighbours. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Solution to Madhesi protests in sight: Nepal Prime Minister Dahal

Chinese officials say trans-Himalayan railway connecting Tibet with India and Nepal is economically and technically feasible as Beijing looks to make Tibet an economic and cultural hub connecting China with South Asia. 
 
&quot;The construction of a railway crossing the Himalayan mountains is now economically and technologically feasible,&quot; Zong Gang, Deputy Director of the Science and Technology Department at Beijing University of Technology, told a forum here run by the China Tibetology Research Centre. 
 
The Himalayan railway would start from Xigaze, a city in Tibet, run to Gyirong, a land port on the Chinese border, and extend into Nepal, although it would not be a high-speed railway, state-run China Daily quoted Chinese researchers as saying at the forum yesterday. 
 
China built a railway running for more than 1,100 kilometres to connect the highland region of Tibet with the rest of the country in 2006 and extended it to Xigaze with an additional 250-kilometres rail link connecting the city to Tibetan provincial capital Lhasa. 
 
China now mulls a rail link to the both Nepal and Yadong, a Tibetan county close to Sikkim border. Chinese officials say that in future it can be connected to India. 
 
The daily today published a map with railway line linking Xigaze with Yadong and Burang, both closer to Indian borders in Sikkim and Uttarakhand, and Gyirong, bordering Nepal. 
 
The altitude at Gyirong port is 2,800 metres above sea level, while the Gyirong mountain pass to Nepal lies at about 1,800 metres, making the railway geographically feasible, Zong said. 
 
In contrast, Lhasa, where China has built a railway network is about 3,700 metres above sea level and the altitude at Xigaze is about 3,800 metres. 
 
The rail line extension between Xigaze and Nepal border was agreed this year during former prime minister KP Sharma Oli&#39;s visit, who signed transit treaty with China in a bid to reduce landlocked Nepal&#39;s dependence on India for supplies. 
 
But the fall of the Oli government and the election of Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda as new Prime Minister has raised anxieties in Beijing over the return of India&#39;s influence in the Himalayan nation and the fate of a number of connectivity projects. 
 
&quot;Once Prachanda takes power, he is bound to rectify Oli&#39;s pro-China tendency when in government and take India&#39;s interests into account, as India is sour about losing its grip on Nepal,&quot; according to an article in the state-run Global Times published on July 29. 
 
&quot;The fixed agreements between China and the Oli government are unlikely to be changed, or it will deal a heavy blow to bilateral ties, which is too much for the new government to bear,&quot; it said.&nbsp; 
 
(PTI)

The fall of pro-Chinese Oli government in Nepal has raised anxieties in Beijing over the return of India's influence in the Himalayan nation

Chinese officials say trans-Himalayan railway connecting Tibet with India and Nepal is economically and technically feasible as Beijing looks to make Tibet an economic and cultural hub connecting China with South Asia. "The construction of a railway crossing the Himalayan mountains is now economically and technologically feasible," Zong Gang, Deputy Director of the Science and Technology Department at Beijing University of Technology, told a forum here run by the China Tibetology Research Centre. The Himalayan railway would start from Xigaze, a city in Tibet, run to Gyirong, a land port on the Chinese border, and extend into Nepal, although it would not be a high-speed railway, state-run China Daily quoted Chinese researchers as saying at the forum yesterday. China built a railway running for more than 1,100 kilometres to connect the highland region of Tibet with the rest of the country in 2006 and extended it to Xigaze with an additional 250-kilometres rail link connecting the city to Tibetan provincial capital Lhasa. China now mulls a rail link to the both Nepal and Yadong, a Tibetan county close to Sikkim border. Chinese officials say that in future it can be connected to India. The daily today published a map with railway line linking Xigaze with Yadong and Burang, both closer to Indian borders in Sikkim and Uttarakhand, and Gyirong, bordering Nepal. The altitude at Gyirong port is 2,800 metres above sea level, while the Gyirong mountain pass to Nepal lies at about 1,800 metres, making the railway geographically feasible, Zong said. In contrast, Lhasa, where China has built a railway network is about 3,700 metres above sea level and the altitude at Xigaze is about 3,800 metres. The rail line extension between Xigaze and Nepal border was agreed this year during former prime minister KP Sharma Oli's visit, who signed transit treaty with China in a bid to reduce landlocked Nepal's dependence on India for supplies. But the fall of the Oli government and the election of Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda as new Prime Minister has raised anxieties in Beijing over the return of India's influence in the Himalayan nation and the fate of a number of connectivity projects. "Once Prachanda takes power, he is bound to rectify Oli's pro-China tendency when in government and take India's interests into account, as India is sour about losing its grip on Nepal," according to an article in the state-run Global Times published on July 29. "The fixed agreements between China and the Oli government are unlikely to be changed, or it will deal a heavy blow to bilateral ties, which is too much for the new government to bear," it said. (PTI)

China welcomes trans-Himalayan railway project that leaves India sidelined

Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda has been elected as Nepal&#39;s Prime Minister by 363 votes. The appointment has come in only a few days after former minister KP Oli&#39;s resignation ensued a fresh political turmoil in the country. 
 
Nepal&#39;s parliament met today in a crucial session that confirmed the former Maoist rebel chief as the Himalayan nation&#39;s new prime minister after Oli stepped down to avoid a no-confidence motion. 
 
Nepal has been mired for years in political instability, and the new leader will be its 24th prime minister after weeks of deadly protests established multi-party democracy in 1990. 
 
This is &nbsp;61-year-old Prachanda&#39;s second turn as premier after his party of former guerrilla fighters won national elections in 2008. 
 
&#39;Prachanda&#39;s appointment unlikely to end&nbsp;revolving-door politics&#39; 
 
Analysts say the return of Prachanda, who still uses his nom de guerre meaning &quot;Fierce&quot; but has lost his former &#39;Robin Hood&#39; image dating back to the insurgency, was unlikely to end the revolving-door politics that has sapped business confidence in one of the world&#39;s poorest countries. 
 
&quot;I don&#39;t think he will be stable,&quot; said Guna Raj Luitel, editor of the daily Nagarik. 
 
&quot;There is no agreement between parties on a basic agenda for the country. They have only agreed for convenience and there is already a deal to change the prime minister after nine months.&quot; 
 
Prachanda&#39;s confirmation was virtually assured thanks to the support of the centrist Nepali Congress, the biggest party in parliament, and an alliance of several small parties. 
 
Under a widely reported power-sharing deal, Nepali Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba is expected to take over from Prachanda before Nepal holds a general election at the beginning of 2018. Party officials have declined to comment. 
 
Frequent changes of government are blamed on politicians who are seen as selfish and power hungry, and who show little concern for the plight of Nepal&#39;s 28 million people. Nearly a quarter live on less than $2 a day. 
 
Great power rivalry 
 
Political change in Nepal, which has great potential to generate hydroelectric power, is closely watched by China and India as they vie for influence over the country that is home to Mount Everest and the birthplace of Lord Buddha. 
 
In 2008, Prachanda visited China before India, breaking a tradition of new Nepali leaders making New Delhi their first foreign port of call. 
 
During a visit in March, Oli cosied up to China with a deal to use its ports for trading goods with third countries, ruffling feathers in India which controls landlocked Nepal&#39;s main overland export route. 
 
India is blamed in Nepal for imposing a blockade on fuel and essential goods last year following protests by the Madhesi minority against Nepal&#39;s first post-monarchy constitution, an accusation India denies. 
 
The Madhesis, who mostly live on the southern plains and have historical and family ties to India, have protested against the charter saying it weakens their say in the central government by dividing their homeland into several provinces. 
 
The new leader also faces the task of rebuilding homes, roads and monuments destroyed by earthquakes that killed 9,000 people last year as well as oversee settlement of war crimes cases against the Maoists and the security forces. 
 
(Reuters)

This is ?61-year-old Prachanda's second turn as premier after his party of former guerrilla fighters won national elections in 2008

Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda has been elected as Nepal's Prime Minister by 363 votes. The appointment has come in only a few days after former minister KP Oli's resignation ensued a fresh political turmoil in the country. Nepal's parliament met today in a crucial session that confirmed the former Maoist rebel chief as the Himalayan nation's new prime minister after Oli stepped down to avoid a no-confidence motion. Nepal has been mired for years in political instability, and the new leader will be its 24th prime minister after weeks of deadly protests established multi-party democracy in 1990. This is 61-year-old Prachanda's second turn as premier after his party of former guerrilla fighters won national elections in 2008. 'Prachanda's appointment unlikely to end revolving-door politics' Analysts say the return of Prachanda, who still uses his nom de guerre meaning "Fierce" but has lost his former 'Robin Hood' image dating back to the insurgency, was unlikely to end the revolving-door politics that has sapped business confidence in one of the world's poorest countries. "I don't think he will be stable," said Guna Raj Luitel, editor of the daily Nagarik. "There is no agreement between parties on a basic agenda for the country. They have only agreed for convenience and there is already a deal to change the prime minister after nine months." Prachanda's confirmation was virtually assured thanks to the support of the centrist Nepali Congress, the biggest party in parliament, and an alliance of several small parties. Under a widely reported power-sharing deal, Nepali Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba is expected to take over from Prachanda before Nepal holds a general election at the beginning of 2018. Party officials have declined to comment. Frequent changes of government are blamed on politicians who are seen as selfish and power hungry, and who show little concern for the plight of Nepal's 28 million people. Nearly a quarter live on less than $2 a day. Great power rivalry Political change in Nepal, which has great potential to generate hydroelectric power, is closely watched by China and India as they vie for influence over the country that is home to Mount Everest and the birthplace of Lord Buddha. In 2008, Prachanda visited China before India, breaking a tradition of new Nepali leaders making New Delhi their first foreign port of call. During a visit in March, Oli cosied up to China with a deal to use its ports for trading goods with third countries, ruffling feathers in India which controls landlocked Nepal's main overland export route. India is blamed in Nepal for imposing a blockade on fuel and essential goods last year following protests by the Madhesi minority against Nepal's first post-monarchy constitution, an accusation India denies. The Madhesis, who mostly live on the southern plains and have historical and family ties to India, have protested against the charter saying it weakens their say in the central government by dividing their homeland into several provinces. The new leader also faces the task of rebuilding homes, roads and monuments destroyed by earthquakes that killed 9,000 people last year as well as oversee settlement of war crimes cases against the Maoists and the security forces. (Reuters)

Maoist chief Prachanda takes over as Nepal's 24th Prime Minister