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China trying to influence Nepal's Army?

PTI

Nepalese riot police forces stand guard outside the Narayanhiti Royal Palace as people take part in a victory rally after the Royal flag was removed from the Royal Palace in Kathmandu, Nepal, 29 May 2008. The event marked the end of 240-year-old monarchy. Nepal traditionally has close links with India, but China is belived to be attempting to gain an upper hand. File photo/EPA/Narendra Shrestha/Nepal

Is China making efforts to gain influence in Nepal’s Army by taking advantage of Maoists being in power? Worries in this regard have been triggered following a flurry of visits by senior Chinese military officials to Kathmandu during the last few months.

Senior Chinese military officials and diplomats have been visiting Nepal through the Tibet-Nepal Highway frequently in the recent times, sources said here. Senior officials of the Nepalese army have also visited Chinese military academies for training in the recent past, they said. These developments are seen here as an attempt by China to gain influence in the Nepalese army, which has so far had very close links with India. China appears keen to have a Maoist installed as the chief of the army of its neighbouring country.

Nepal President Pushp Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda ’, formerly the leader of Maoists, has been wanting to install erstwhile Maoist commander Nanda Kishor Pun alias Passang as the Nepal Army chief. However, strong opposition from mainstream political parties and pro-royal Army officers is preventing such a development, sources said.

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