The Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA) and Nepal Institute for International Cooperation and Engagement (NIICE) are pleased to co-host a webinar on the topic, “Balancing Public Perception with Strategic Realities in Nepal Amidst India-China Competition” on April 24, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM. The webinar aims to delve into several crucial dynamics of India-Nepal relations such as the impact of public perception in Nepal in its foreign policy decisions, significance of Nepal’s balancing act, India’s public diplomacy and development cooperation efforts in the wake of growing Chinese engagements in Nepal.
Concept Note for the Webinar
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.
This webinar will discuss 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 also need to be evaluated in the context of Nepal’s changing strategic environment. This discussion will delve into Nepal’s evolving foreign policy strategy as both of its Himalayan neighbours aim to expand their influence in the region. Lastly, the webinar will also ideate 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.
Speakers and Topics
- 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)
Opening and Closing Remarks - Contours of Connectivity: Infrastructure, Influence, and Interests | Development and Diplomacy: Converging and Complementary Dynamics of Engagement
Registration link to attend the Webinar: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSelyFJ5iyyd4BUWvSVk_ABhmgyTKBZEvd6hoSid9BRO9h_N6A/viewform