A quake-ravaged country faced blockades from the south, north at the same time
- China did not bother to reopen Tatopani when we were facing the Indian blockade
- Delivering aid through Kerung was impossible as the trade point lacked infrastructure
- China probably buckled under Indian pressure and stopped short of providing all possible help to Nepal
Rabindra Adhikari
India imposed a blockade against Nepal after promulgation of a new constitution, citing dissatisfaction and insecurity in the Madhesh. For a country struggling to recover from the mega quakes, the blockade was the height of cruelty against Nepal. Did China provide us crucial help when India was giving us troubles? This question is plaguing our minds.
In fact, we faced Indian and Chinese blockades at the same time. The Tatopani customs along the China border had been in operation for 52 years. This is a major customs through which annual trade of around Rs 1.7 trillion. Through this point, Nepal collects Rs 6-7 billion in revenue.
The quake had shut Tatopani. China could have reopened this customs easily. Why did not it do so, at a time when we were facing the Indian blockade?
Instead of reopening Tatopani, China kept asking us whether it should airlift vital supplies or take other measures to help Nepal. We should question Chinese intent, for it did not bother to make Tatopani operational at that time. It’s clear that China did not assist us wholeheartedly when we were in need.
After India imposed a blockade, Nepal requested China to reopen Tatopani customs repeatedly (3-4 times). We leart that China expressed inability to do so.
China, instead, proposed delivering aid through Kerung, where there’s no physical infrastructure. Our northern neighbour kept the customs with adequate infrastructure shut and proposed opening another customs that hardly has any infrastructure. What did Nepali people think about this?
I thought: We are in a serious crisis, but Tatopani remains shut. Why?
Sending a few tankers of petroleum products and promising to provide this and that is no big deal. Even if China did not want to keep Tatopani in operation for long, it should have reopened the point for a short duration to assist Nepal.
Under my leadership, a team from the parliamentary Development Committee inspected Tatopani and other customs. We reached other points that can facilitate trade with China.
The committee’s field-based study showed that the Chinese government can make Tatopani operational if it wants. We submitted a report to this effect. The report shaped public opinion in favour of reopening Tatopani before Foregin Minister’s visit to China.
During Nepal FM’s visit, China pledged to reopen Tatopani. Despite this pledge, Tatopani remains shut. It’s not impossible to reopen Tatopani. And it’s not a costly undertaking.
China has shifted settlements from Khasa. As a neighbour, we should consider Chinese sensitivities, but then China should also take our inconveniences into account.
Maybe, China did not help us wholeheartedly owing to pressure from India. India is in a position to pile pressure on China, for it is a major client of China (Chinese goods).
It is possible that India pressed China to impose taxes and fulfil international (export) procedures while donating oil to Nepal, threatening not to buy Chinese goods otherwise. In today’s world, commercial interests are very important.
(As told to Puspa Dulal)
