Nepal 2019: Attempts at mediation in domestic and foreign policies

The article outlines the key issues related to international relations, domestic politics and the economic situation of Nepal in 2019. In the first section, particular emphasis is given to Xi Jinping’s visit in October 2019. A separate paragraph is dedicated to the non-signature of the extradition treaty between China and Nepal and the issue of Tibetans in the Himalayan country. Furthermore, the Indo-Nepalese crisis relating to the territory of Kalapani is outlined. In terms of domestic politics, the paper addresses the issue of internal balances of power in the Communist Party of Nepal, resulting from the fusion of Marxist-Leninists and Maoists in 2018. In addition, the analysis focuses on the birth of a new political party, the Samajbadi Party-Nepal, from the un- ion of the Madhesi FSFN party with the Naya Shakti Party. This new party therefore stands as the second subject, together with the Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal, within a unification process aimed at forming a great unitary force in support of the Madhesi demands. Finally, Nepal’s economic scenario is outlined. From the data provided, the known critical issues of the Himalayan country are reiterated, in particular the heavy trade deficit. The numbers of the first eight months of the fiscal year 2018/2019 show a strong growth in imports from China, without, however, a similar growth in Nepalese exports to the north. Quite the contrary, there is a clear drop. The volume is certainly revealing considering the recent role of Nepal within the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).