EVENTS

This Wednesday Seminar will explore the journey behind the book Seventy Years of Nepal-China Relations: A Model for Civilisational Friendship and reflect on the evolution and expanding dimensions of relations between Nepal and the People’s Republic of China. It will begin by sharing how the idea for the book emerged and the motivation behind bringing together diverse perspectives on Nepal-China relations. It will provide a brief historical background to the development of Nepal-China relations over the decades, throwing light on how the relationship has evolved. The drivers and issues in the relationship, with particular reference to the Xi Jinping period will include Nepal’s approach towards China’s major international initiatives, including the Belt and Road Initiative, Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative and Global Governance Initiative. The presentation will further explore evolving areas of bilateral engagement, including cross-border connectivity, China’s contribution to Nepal’s tourism, China’s public diplomacy in Nepal, military cooperation, evolving Chinese soft power in Nepal, and collaboration in new technologies.

Speaker

Bibek Dhoj Thapa is a Program Coordinator and Research Associate at the Nepal Institute for International Cooperation and Engagement (NIICE). His research interests focus on the intersection of emerging technologies and international relations, Nepal’s neighbourhood studies, and security affairs. Bibek did his Master's in International Relations and Diplomacy from the Central Department of International Relations and Diplomacy at Tribhuvan University, Nepal. He was a General Visiting Student at the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS), Sichuan University, China. His work has appeared in The Annapurna Express, The Diplomat Nepal, The Korea Times and others. He serves as a Member of the Editorial Board at NIICE, and is the founder of ‘TechinIR’, a NIICE initiative that examines the impact of emerging technologies.

Chair

Mahendra P. Lama is an Adjunct Fellow, at the Institute of Chinese Studies , New Delhi. He is a development economist and has been a senior Professor in the School of International Studies in Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He is presently Emeritus Chief Economic Adviser in the rank of a Cabinet Minister in the Government of Sikkim. He was the Founding Vice Chancellor of the Central University of Sikkim, becoming the youngest VC of a national University in India. He served as a Member, National Security Advisory Board, Government of India and also as Pro-Vice Chancellor of IGNOU, New Delhi. He was India’s nominee in the Eminent Persons Group set up by the Prime Ministers of India and Nepal. His recent work includes Strengthening Trade and Transport Connectivity in Eastern South Asia, Development Paper 25-20, UN-ESCAP (2025).

Please register for the webinar here