Rationalising smart alignment strategy

Great powers want Nepal to side with them and become part of their respective strategies or initiatives.

Historically, in a majority of the cases, a rising power has threatened the existing ones in the race for the world’s leading power. With the rise of China, leading to a competition and conflict with the United States (the existing power), global power politics has changed dramatically. The power struggle shifting to Asia, particularly around China’s periphery, has made Nepal’s position trickier. Diplomatic manoeuvring by global and regional powers to persuade and coerce geopolitically important countries to lure on their side reflects the complexity of the challenges facing countries like Nepal.