look news india
Everything is not going well between Nepal and China, and this time it is directly impacting the pockets and happiness of the common citizens and businessmen of Nepal. Despite continuous pleas from the Government of Nepal to the local people and businessmen, China has not yet completely opened the strategically important Tatopani Border. The festive season is upon us and a huge shortage of goods has started in the markets of Nepal, due to which an atmosphere of tension is being created across the country. In such a situation, a big challenge has arisen in front of the popular and aggressive Mayor of Kathmandu, Balen Shah, because the public is now expecting some concrete steps from him to deal with this crisis.
There is chaos in Nepal’s markets before festivals due to closure of Tatopani border.
Currently, preparations for the biggest and holy festivals like Dashain and Tihar are going on in full swing in Nepal, and during these festivals the demand for clothing, electronic goods, gifts and daily use items increases manifold. Nepal depends largely on imports from China for its everyday consumer goods, and the Tatopani border is a major trade route between the two countries. This border has been closed or partially blocked for a long time, due to which hundreds of containers filled with goods coming from China are stuck on the way. When goods do not reach the markets on time, traders will have to suffer huge losses and the general public will be forced to buy goods at skyrocketing prices, thereby increasing both economic and social pressure in the country.
Dragon’s stubborn attitude despite repeated requests and diplomatic requests from Nepal government
Nepal’s Foreign Ministry and business organizations have appealed to Beijing several times formally and informally to open this border gate at full capacity as soon as possible so that trade can run smoothly. Despite this, no positive response is coming from the Chinese officials and local administration, and they have been postponing the matter citing security or technical reasons. This stubborn and arbitrary attitude of China raises a big question mark on Nepal’s sovereignty and economic priorities. Nepali media and experts believe that due to this diplomatic indifference of Dragon, Nepal’s businessmen are facing the threat of bankruptcy, but the rulers of Kathmandu are hesitant in raising their voice openly in front of Beijing.
Entry of Mayor Balen Shah and public’s eyes on this serious crisis.
Amidst this critical situation, Kathmandu Municipal Corporation Mayor Balen Shah is known for his outspoken working style and strict attitude towards the public. Traders and common citizens have now started informally appealing to Balen Shah to intervene in this matter and put pressure on the central government. Balen Shah has always been vocal against foreign interference and administrative slowness, hence people are looking towards him with hopeful eyes to find a solution to this big problem facing the festivals. Although this matter completely falls within the scope of international border trade and diplomacy, Balen Shah’s influence as a public leader is very deep in the politics of the country.
The growing crisis of pain and financial crisis of traders in border areas
Small and big traders living in Tatopani and its surrounding areas are completely dependent on the opening of this border, because their entire year depends on the business of this season. Due to the borders being closed, warehouses are lying empty, loan interest is continuously increasing and bank officials are continuously pressurizing them to repay the money. If the border is not cleared by China within the coming few days, there will be an artificial shortage of goods in Nepal’s markets along with an explosion of inflation which will be very difficult to handle. Local youth and businessmen are now warning of taking to the streets and protesting, due to which there may be a fierce boil in the domestic politics of Nepal in the coming days.
Will Nepal bow before China or will the dragon have to bow down?
This entire incident once again proves how Nepal is badly dependent on the policies of neighboring countries in matters of its economy and trade. Nepal’s rulers will now have to find long-term solutions so that they do not have to face such artificial or political obstacles during the festival season every year. On the other hand, after this insistence of China, anti-China sentiment is once again strengthening among the youth of Nepal, which is not at all a good sign for future diplomatic relations. Now it will be interesting to see whether Nepal’s diplomacy succeeds in the face of this pressure or whether the government takes a new and tough stand in the face of collective opposition from Mayor Balen Shah and the public.