By DWAIPAYAN REGMI, TON, NEPAL

There was once an issue raised about Nepal being the best platform for neutral sports play, where the neutral venue would be welcoming anyone from India and Pakistan to China and United States. After all, this country holds no enemy ship with anyone and has been widely recognized as peaceful land throughout. There won’t be any issues for anyone to visit Nepal for any purpose. This country has remained to be part of associations like SAARC and BIMSTEC and has often been recognized as an independent nation. The country holds a history of independence for a long time because this country was never ruled by anyone - even the Britishers.

Located right between India and China, Nepal has always remained a strategic point for interconnecting these two nations. The connection among them is not just geographic, but historic too because traders used the route using Nepal during those old times to travel from India to China and vice versa. It had always been within strategic space for both nations. From the time of the massive earthquake which took place in the year 2015 to the election - there remains competition about who will be contributing to what proportion to Nepal in any way possible to them.

However, this nation has been regarded as the ring for major powers throughout the South Asian region here. Nepal has always been a strategic space - be it for making any action against China by the United States, or playing any card by both India and China against each other. This country has remained committed to bringing the overall frame there. The country holds a strategic advantage for any task. Like Charles Shobraj once declared that he can surpass big elephants from Nepal’s International airport, Nepal has often been part of various news there. The scams regarding 33 Kg of gold being passed out through the airport are not old. And, for ages, this nation has been a safe hub to make any terrorism-based planning, drug trafficking activities that have to be conducted or similar set of tasks thereby.

All the nations throughout South Asia who are active have been keeping eye on this small nation. Just some time back Indian Army chief General Narvane gave out a recent allegation explaining how Nepal took action over the Kalapani issue and how Nepal had been in the process of amending the constitution which would include the map of disputed territories there. China has been giving pretty huge priority to Nepal recently, and that was proven through their President's visit just some time back. Apart, there remained aspects through which proper consideration of the allegation had been under the prime set of consideration there.

India on the other hand, has been trying its best to retain the relationship. India already holds the link regarding the cultural issue there - as stated Roti - Beti Relationship, which they hold. In the name of the same, it had been providing various offers and schemes. Just some time back India gifted 200 vehicles to Nepal calling it logistic support for upcoming elections, to conduct smooth elections. India had been offering a controversial Agnipath scheme too, which has not yet been decided by Nepal’s side there. In man's time, there was a huge issue noticed about Liphu Lekh, the debatable land that they held there. 

So, taking Nepal on their side; there have been several attempts by South Asian powers to make a bigger rule; because this nation has not just been a safe place, but an appropriate place delivering strategic geographical advantages too for anyone who would have control over it. 

Politically at tense state, with recent political changes that it went through and an increased set of corruption with high liquidity economic phase, the country is already in a panic state. So, hitting the hammer when hot, by trying to bring into their influence will certainly be beneficial for anyone seeking strategic advantage through this small nation.