Old era of jingoism, equating Nepali nationalism with anti-Indianism, is over: Nepal Finance Minister
Nepal's Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle is seeking international support for a $5 billion reconstruction project following severe flooding. He expressed a desire to reset diplomatic and economic ties with India, moving away from past nationalist rhetoric.
Why it matters
A shift in Nepal's foreign policy toward a more constructive relationship with India could significantly impact regional stability and infrastructure development in South Asia.
A month after floods wrecked large areas in Nepal, its new government is intensifying efforts to support reconstruction. Nepal’s Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle, an economist and former UNDP official, made his first visit abroad to Delhi to discuss plans with the government, and will soon travel to meetings of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank to seek support for an estimated $5 billion recovery project. In an exclusive interview with The Hindu , Mr. Wagle said the new Balen Shah government in Nepal wants a “reset” with India, and a revision of old trade and connectivity projects, including the push for long-delayed overflight rights for Nepal airports, and managing difficult issues, such as the border dispute, in a “constructive” manner.
What is your estimate of the losses to Nepal from the Bhotekoshi river floods?
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