Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Experts in French diplomacy have said that the South Asian nations will become victims of the clash between superpowers.
Dr Séverine Arsène, head of the Centre d’Analyse de Prévision et de Stratégie – a think tank under the French foreign ministry – said the friction between emerging powers and traditional powers will have a direct impact on South Asia.
In a recent discussion with Dr Nishchal Nath Pandey, director of the Center for South Asian Studies, on the political situation in South Asia in Paris, Dr Arsène said Nepal is facing the heat of the Indo-Pacific Strategy and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and asked Dr Pandey how Nepal is managing to balance its foreign relations.
In response, Dr Pandey said that since Nepal embraces a non-aligned foreign policy, it is dealing with such issues in the same manner. “These issues are often disputed because many people perceive US cooperation differently and become suspicious of everything China is involved in,” Dr Pandey said.
He expressed the view that India’s foreign policy and actions have an influence on Nepal due to their open border. Since most countries that have relations with Nepal have missions in New Delhi, and even countries with embassies in Nepal issue visas from the Indian capital, these countries have a weak relationship with the Nepali people, he added.
Dr Arsène, who holds a doctorate degree from Columbia University, said countries like Nepal should proceed cautiously in world politics.
During the visit, Dr Pandey also discussed Nepal-France relations and Nepal-Europe relations, among other issues, with Dr Francois Nicholas, director of South Asian Affairs at the French think tank.
Dr Arsène mentioned that SAARC is becoming ineffective because India is unwilling to move SAARC forward, and Nepal has also failed to make the regional forum active. She said that India not sending its representative to SAARC is not a normal situation. If Nepal fails to take the necessary initiatives, Nepal may lose its status as the capital of SAARC, Dr Arsène added.
On the occasion, Dr Pandey also addressed queries on Nepal’s latest political situation, India’s political moves, China’s progress, China-India relations, India-Russia relations, and India-US relations raised by researchers at the French think tank.
