The Communist Party of China (CPC) has been actively working to cultivate positive relationships with various communist parties globally. Once regarded as a dominant political ideology on an international scale, its influence has waned since the conclusion of the Cold War. Nevertheless, communist parties around the world continue to strive for closer ties with one another.
The CPC has effectively utilised the power it has amassed through the careful advancement of China’s economy to foster meaningful interactions with other communist parties. While these interactions are ideologically motivated, they also serve strategic purposes for China in projecting its influence within these nations. There have been numerous exchanges between the communist parties of Nepal and China, including the sharing of ideas among party officials from both countries. Recently, the CPC’s provision of relief aid to political factions in Nepal has sparked significant public controversy.
Nepal functions as a multiparty democracy, where the government holds the authority to conduct foreign relations and manage aid. This presents a timely opportunity to analyse the evolving relationship between the Communist Party of China (CPC) and various Communist Parties in Nepal. The interactions between the CPC and Nepalese Communist parties have become more pronounced in recent years, particularly since President Xi Jinping’s rise to power.
This article explores the historical underpinnings of Sino-Nepalese Communist Party relations, their development under Xi Jinping, and how this party-to-party diplomacy has enabled China to influence Nepal’s domestic and international political landscape, along with its potential repercussions for India and strategies for India to counteract these influences.
Initial Phase of China-Nepal Communist Ties
Formal diplomatic relations between China and Nepal have been in place since 1955. However, interactions between the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) and the Communist Party of China (CPC) predate this official establishment. In the initial phases, these interactions were deeply rooted in ideology, drawing strength from a shared commitment to communism, which served as a common platform for both parties.
It was not until the advent of democracy that inter-party relations began to formalise as a diplomatic tool. During the mid-20th century, most official exchanges between China and Nepal were largely state-to-state, with minimal direct engagement between the CPC and Nepalese Communist parties.
A significant development in the early 1980s arose from an invitation extended by the International Department of the Communist Party of China (ID-CPC), prompting delegations from Nepal, led by C.P. Mainali of the CPN-UML, to visit China. Over the subsequent decades, various delegations from the Nepali Communist Party demonstrated a marked increase in interactions between the two parties. However, these party-to-party relations were constrained by political instability within Nepal and its strong diplomatic ties with India.
Shift in Xi Jinping’s Era
In the past decade, particularly after Xi Jinping assumed leadership, China’s foreign policy has taken on a more assertive character, with party-to-party diplomacy becoming a crucial element of its global strategy. China has formed alliances with political parties worldwide that align with communist or leftist ideologies. This approach has been bolstered by the Belt and Road Initiative, introduced by Xi Jinping.
Xi’s visit to Nepal in 2019 established a comprehensive framework aimed at strengthening political relations between the two nations. His remarks on sustained collaboration conveyed that this initiative would reinforce Chinese influence within Nepal’s political landscape.
The CPC’s efforts to unify the fragmented Nepali Communist movement were evident. Following the establishment of the Nepal Communist Party (NCP), formed through the merger of the two main communist factions—CPN (UML) and CPN (MC)—China anticipated that this consolidation would lead to a stable government, thereby enhancing long-term economic relations. In this context, China provided organised political and financial support, arranged training sessions, and facilitated field visits, while also educating Nepali communist party members on ‘Xi Jinping Thought’.
However, internal factionalism within Nepal’s communist parties posed a significant challenge for China. Although the NCP was seen as a stable entity that was relatively manageable, it was forced to split following a 2021 ruling by Nepal’s Supreme Court. This development disrupted Nepal’s political landscape and complicated China’s efforts to maintain its regional influence. China’s willingness to engage in diplomatic intervention after this split, as exemplified by ID-CPC Vice-Minister Guo Yezhou’s visit to Nepal, highlights Beijing’s commitment to party-to-party diplomacy as a means of managing its international relations.
Does it Shape China-Nepal Relationship?
A critical question regarding China’s party-to-party diplomacy is whether it effectively allows China to influence the internal political dynamics of other nations, including Nepal. In the case of Nepal, the answer is both affirmative and negative. The relationships cultivated by China have undeniably strengthened its influence over specific political factions in Nepal.
Through ideological training sessions, seminars, and frequent high-level visits, China has successfully established robust connections with Nepali Communist officials, particularly within the NCP and CPN-UML. This engagement has enabled China to secure significant political advantages, including substantial infrastructure contracts awarded to Chinese companies.
The ability of China to utilise party connections during periods of political turmoil, as demonstrated by the NCP split in 2021, highlights the importance of these connections as a vital means for China to exert soft power in Nepal. The level of influence that China wields within Nepal’s political and discursive environment is notably substantial, and the interactions among political parties in China have cultivated the perception that Beijing acts as a reliable ally in the context of Nepal’s development.
Implications for India
The cultural affinity between India and Nepal offers them the chance to cultivate a closer relationship than with any other nation. India has supported a multiparty democratic Nepal during the civil conflict and beyond. While it has historically maintained a closer bond with the Nepali Congress, it also enjoys amicable relations with other parties, including various Communist factions.
Nonetheless, as a democracy, India recognises the necessity of institutional checks and balances. Nepal’s democratic institutions are still in their formative stages and require further nurturing to function effectively. As democratic competition flourishes in Nepal, India should focus on fostering robust democratic institutions there. This could be achieved by inviting Nepali civil servants for advanced training, similar to what India offers to civil servants from numerous countries. It is noteworthy that Nepali intellectuals and activists who have studied in India have played a significant role in promoting democracy in the former kingdom of Nepal.
The promotion of democracy in Nepal is not only vital for the country itself but also essential for India to sustain its close relationship with Nepal. Through ideological alignment, China has sought to cultivate a favourable image among the country’s communist political elites. As a one-party communist state, China is keen to have a neighbouring ally that shares its ideology, regardless of whether that ally is democratic. To prevent such scenarios, it is imperative for India to support and strengthen the democratic institutions in Nepal.
The writer is an author and columnist and has written several books. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.
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