China’s actions during its defense minister’s recent visits to Nepal and Pakistan, including the signing of a defense agreement in Islamabad, were apparently targeted at India, experts and former diplomats said on Wednesday.
Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe kicked off his tour of the region with a one-day visit to Nepal on Sunday, where he told leaders in Kathmandu that China “strongly supports Nepal in safeguarding national independence, sovereignty and the territorial integrity ”.
Wei’s next port of call was Pakistan, where the two sides signed a memorandum of cooperation (MoU) to enhance defense cooperation. Wei met with Pakistani Army Chief General Qamar Bajwa and discussed regional security and expressed appreciation for Islamabad’s efforts to secure the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
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Bajwa also thanked Wei for China’s support of Pakistan on all key issues in regional and international forums.
Experts and former diplomats believe that these actions were taken by China clearly with an eye toward the protracted border clash with India, which is currently in its eighth month with little sign of immediate advance in troop withdrawal and de-escalation throughout. along the actual Line of Control (LAC).
Former Ambassador Vishnu Prakash, who is closely following developments in the neighborhood, said Wei’s visit to Nepal came at a time when relations between Kathmandu and New Delhi were returning to normal after a border dispute over the new Political map of Nepal that included Indian territories.
“China was letting Pakistan and Nepal know that it is still with them and this was also a message for India,” Prakash said.
Experts said Wei’s statements that China helps Nepal protect its territorial integrity clearly appear to have been made with the India-Nepal border dispute in mind, especially as the two countries are making efforts to address the problem.
“We had a number of good visits to Nepal, including from the Indian army chief and the foreign secretary, and the relationship was improving. The Chinese want to keep Nepal in tune with Beijing’s priorities and within the Chinese orbit. They also want to keep the Communist Party of Nepal (PNC) intact, ”Prakash said, referring to divisions within Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s ruling party.
China’s envoy to Nepal has often publicly interceded to resolve differences between Oli and his main rival, Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda”.
Sameer Patil, Fellow for International Security Studies at Gateway House, pointed out India’s outreach in recent months to key neighbors like Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal, including several major development and connectivity projects and high-level visits, and said Wei’s visits to Kathmandu and Islamabad were intended to counter these efforts.
“At a time when China is also facing criticism for its role in fighting Covid-19 in the early stages, it wants to send a message that it has not left its space in the Indian neighborhood. China was unable to send a high-ranking minister, so sending a key general is the best approach to ensure that those it believes are on its side remain there, “said Patil.
Prakash added: “In Islamabad, the Chinese clearly wanted to add some steel to the backbone of Pakistan. Furthermore, the Chinese are concerned about the pace of implementation of projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), including CPEC, and are relying on Gen Bajwa to ensure that it stays on track. ”
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