Different Takes on the Geopolitics of the Nepal Floods

https://strategicspace.nbr.org/strategic-spaces-of-the-sino-nepali-borderlands-making-and-breaking-trans-himalayan-trade-relations/

https://www.asianews.it/en/east-asia/china/the-himalayas-why-gyirong-is-a-key-location-for-beijing

https://thediplomat.com/2026/09/nepals-floods-upset-its-china-india-balancing-act/

The Strategic Space article helps to explain the geographic divisions with Nepal and the nature of China's relationship to the region.

The second article is from Asia News, a Catholic publication focused on Eurasian issues and as such has a slightly different read on Beijing's motivations visa-vis Nepal. Both articles speak of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the role China plays in the northern region of Nepal. But the Catholic article is far more cynical, viewing China's incursion as not merely motivated by trade and a desire to police its own borders (and the critical border with Tibet), but to expand and dominate.

Christian Persecution in Nepal

Rarely gaining much attention in the international news, Nepal is garnering attention due to its position between India and China and increasingly it's receiving focus due to religious tensions.

A majority Hindu nation, there is great concern and hostility to Christian proselytism and the Himalayan republic is starting to put pressure on missionaries and church leaders. Laws which were passed last year are now being implemented and as of August 2018 sentencing guidelines are set to become significantly harsher. Many fear the state will look the other way if mob violence is used against Christians.

The Guardian and the Dalits of Nepal

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/aug/15/they-use-money-to-promote-christianity-nepal-battle-for-souls

In the Hindu sphere it is almost natural that the Dalits or Untouchables would be the most likely group to embrace Christianity with its message of universal salvation and its largely egalitarian ecclesiastical construct. I use the term egalitarian with hesitation because it is used by others in different ways and I don't want to be misunderstood. Biblical Egalitarianism does not mean the elimination of male and female roles both in the family and in the Church but it certainly does mean an elimination of class distinctions, something at the core of many Asian societies.

The Nepal Elections and OBOR

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/year-elections-nepal-moves-closer-china-171217065957502.html

For nations like Nepal, caught between the larger powers, the side to choose is becoming obvious. A move toward India would mean inviting in the financiers and New Delhi's war footing-policy based on the new alliance with Washington. Kathmandu doesn't want to be caught in the middle of India's conflict with Beijing.