Nepal's Diplomatic Ties with Japan at Risk as Prime Minister Attends China's Military Parade

Strategic Insights -

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's decision to attend China's commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War has evoked strong reactions from foreign policy experts and former diplomats. The event, scheduled to take place on September 3, is expected to portray Japan in a negative light, and experts warn that Nepal's diplomatic ties with Japan may be hurt as a result. Japan has already urged European and Asian countries to refrain from attending the military parade, citing its anti-Japanese overtones.

Key Takeaways:

  • Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's decision to attend China's military parade has sparked concerns about Nepal's diplomatic ties with Japan.
  • Japan has urged other countries to skip the parade, citing its anti-Japanese overtones.
  • The number of Nepali nationals living in Japan is estimated to be 233,043 as of December 2024, according to the Nepali Embassy in Japan.
  • Japan assists Nepal in its socio-economic development through bilateral grant, low-interest loan, multilateral aid, and technical assistance.
  • The major areas of Japanese economic cooperation include human resource development, health, agriculture development, infrastructure development, environment protection, and culture.
  • Prime Minister Oli's participation in the military parade may antagonize Japan, the USA, and Western democracies, and even India, according to a foreign policy expert.
  • Nepal is only a dialogue partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and some experts suggest that a lower-level delegation could have attended the summit instead of the prime minister.
  • Most democratic countries and Western democratic countries are expected to skip the military parade.

Statistics:

  • The number of Nepali nationals living in Japan: 233,043 as of December 2024.
  • Younger population studying in Japan: a large number (exact figure not available) of Nepali students pursue higher studies in Japan each year.
  • Percentage of foreign students from Nepal studying in Japan: ranks in top three among foreign students (exact figure not available).
  • Estimated cost of Japan's economic cooperation to Nepal: not provided.

Sources:

  • Himalayan Times Media Entertainment and Tech Ltd
  • Contify.com
  • Kyodonewsnet.com
  • The State Council, People's Republic of China
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin's statement (explanation of Putin's expected attendance not provided directly)