HONG KONG, Sept 20: Nepali Congress (NC) leader Shashank Koirala has claimed that foreign influence in Nepal is increasing with both India and China concerned over the federal setup the country is headed for.
Claiming that some foreigners want to incite Tibet issues deeming China as their potential threat, Koirala argued that Nepal needs to make its policy on Tibet issue clear before the international community. [break]
“India is in favor of one Madhes-one province,” he said, adding: “This is the reason why there has not been any consensus on the NC´s proposal to go for five provinces.”
Koirala argued that China shares exactly the same concerns on Nepal´s federalism. “The Chinese have now stated saying that Nepal should not have many provinces,” he said.
“Tibet has become a great geo-strategic issue in the changed context,” he said. “Tibet is an integral part of China. We should speak at the international level that we won´t allow Nepali soil to be used against China.”
Koirala said Christianity was spreading in Nepal and that the Peace Corps program was resumed in Nepal after a hiatus of several years. He argued that the long term interests of European in Nepal could be targeted against China.
“A difficult situation may arise over Tibet issue as CIA had earlier used Khampa against China,” he said. “We cannot ask China to free Tibet as it is an internal affair of China. But we can diplomatically ask Beijing to not to rob Tibetans of their identity.”
Koirala, who arrived in Hong Kong to take part in a function organized by Nepali Liaison Committee to mark 98th birth anniversary of late BP Koirala, also said that NC President Sushil Koirala is not in the race for prime minister. “Either Sher Bahadur Deuba or Ram Chandra Paudel would become the prime minister if NC gets a chance to lead the new government,” he further said.
Koirala said that though Deuba and Paudel had rooted for CA revival, NC has decided to go for fresh election.