India’s lenient policy with Nepal forces China to open its border point

New Delhi: The lenient cross-border transport policy for essential good and products adopted by India toward Nepal, has forced China to change its stance as well.

Within 48 hours after New Delhi allowed permissions to Nepalese truckers to wheel goods across the border without the requirement of original documents, China opened one of its border-custom point for one-way trade with Kathmandu. 

Chinese officials formally reopened the border check and custom point at Tatopani of Sindhupalchowk district on Wednesday evening, which was sealed amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The reopening of the Tatopani customs has allowed Nepalese importers to import essential medical supplies and drugs.

China had sealed its two border check points – Tatopani and Rasuwagadi – with Nepal on 29 January, following a major rise in the infection level of COVID-19. This led to a severe shortage of medical supplies, drugs, and other products across various provinces in Nepal. 

Diplomatic Dialogue and Backlash

Compelled under the situation, the Nepalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 25 March sent a diplomatic note requesting the Chinese government to reopen the two border customs points for emergency trade.

The diplomatic note from Kathmandu was received with a positive response from China, which reverted stating that the Tatopani customs point would be opened soon. However, Beijing levied one condition for reopening the border – that only a one-way trade will be permitted, which would mean only the import of essential goods to Nepal.

“They (Chinese officials) were scared that the COVID-19 infection from Nepal would again spread in China. Thus, they only allowed one-way trade. We agreed to this condition and were hoping for a quick response,” a government official said. 

However, the expected quick response was reportedly delayed by China as a backlash on Nepal for canceling a contract of medical supplies with a private Chinese firm. This development was duly reported by the TheNews21. 

In the report published by TheNews21 on Wednesday, Nepalese officials had alleged that even after agreeing to open the border-custom point, the Chinese amended their stance at the last minute.

“There was no sane explanation provided for their delay in opening the border-custom point. They kept reasoning possible infection spread through asymptotic individuals from Nepal into China,” the officer said.

However, when Nepal approached India to relax its rules for cross-border trade of essential goods, New Delhi readily complied.

According to Indian government sources, the lenient policy extended to Nepal, amid the coronavirus outbreak would have bolted China. Realizing that India was using the infection adversity for its diplomatic advantage, China immediately announced the reopening of its border-custom point in Nepal.

As per Nepalese custom officials, on the first day of the one-way trade, Kathmandu was able to import 10 consignments of hand sanitizers and 19 boxes of medical facemasks from the northern border.

Modi-Oli Discuss Cooperation Against Coronavirus

On 10 April, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepalese counterpart KP Sharma Oli held a telephone conversation in the wake of the rising novel coronavirus pandemic.

Soon, after the conversation, PM Modi tweeted, that he discussed the prevailing situation due to COVID-19 with Nepali counterpart. ‘I appreciate the determination of people of Nepal to fight this challenge. We stand in solidarity with Nepal in our common fight against COVID-19’ read the tweet posted by PM Modi. 

Meanwhile, PM Oli in his Nepali-language tweet said that the two discussed various measures to enhance cooperation in the battle against novel coronavirus. ‘We stressed the need to taking care of each other’s citizens that are left stranded along with the bordering areas due to the lockdown imposed in both the countries,’ read PM Oli’s tweet.  The Nepalese Prime Minister also expressed gratitude to the Indian government for providing medicines and equipment. 

Nepal threw a diplomatic jab on China veiled in a press release, which was issued by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs soon after the discussion between PM Modi and his counterpart Oli. 

The release read ‘The two Prime Ministers expressed satisfaction on the smooth supply of essential goods across the border and underlined the need for ensuring its continuity in the present situation.’ It further read, ‘During the conversation, the two Prime Ministers also touched upon the multi-dimensional friendly relations existing between the two countries and stressed on further consolidating and strengthening the relations for mutual benefit.’