India to work with Nepal's newly elected Left Alliance
India is looking forward to working with Nepal's Left Alliance following its victory in the country's parliamentary elections. The victory of the pro-China Left Alliance, which won 116 parliamentary seats out of a total 165 under the first-past-the-post system, represents a challenge for India. However, the alliance's leaders have clarified that they would neither be "anti-India" nor "pro-China."
MEA: India looking to advance relations with Nepal
"We look forward to working with the next democratically elected government in Nepal to advance our close and multifaceted partnership across all sectors and to support Nepal in its pursuit of peace, stability, economic prosperity and all-round development," India's Ministry of External Affairs said.
Nepal's likely CM seen as pro-China, anti-India
The Left Alliance comprises of the CPN-UML led by former PM Khadga Prasad Oli and CPN-Maoist led by Prachanda, also a former PM. Oli, who is widely expected to be the new PM, has made his proximity to China well known. He has often publicly criticized India for interfering in Nepali politics and has accused it of overthrowing his government last year.
Pro-India Nepali Congress wins very few seats
The incumbent centrist Nepali Congress party, a loose alliance with Madhesi parties and former royals, won less than two dozen seats. The Nepali Congress is seen as being close to India.
Nepal wants to join China's Belt and Road initiative
CPN-UML general secretary Ishwor Pokhrel has said, "Both (India and China) are our neighbors, we respect both neighbors. India is our neighbor. No Nepali will be anti-Indian." He clarified that his party was neither "anti-India" nor "pro-China." He said, "Nepal is keen to get involved in China's Belt and Road" initiative. However, India has regularly expressed concern over the initiative.
