K P Oli's China gamble

Nepal Prime Minister K P Oli's China visit from December 2 to 5 had triggered a loud response even before it began. The Chinese media, including Global Times, called it "tradition breaking" while some in Indian media called it a surrender to the north. Nepal's political spectrum, including the two major constituents in the ruling coalition - Oli-led Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) and the Nepali Congress - were divided on whether Nepal should sign the Belt and Road Initiative framework that may involve having to take loans from China as it goes into implementation phase. Before he flew…