As the Ukraine proxy war unfolds, and Global NATO has essentially declared war on Russia, sights have increasingly been turned towards China as the next “problem” which must be “put into line.” Another theater of this conflict is now emerging in Nepal, after a number of US officials have recently conducted visits to the country. In February, Nepal approved the Millenium Challenge Corporation (MCC), an economic partnership program with the U.S. that purports to increase economic cooperation. At the time, protests erupted across the country against the MCC, claiming that it was a loss of sovereignty for Nepal. But now a new agreement is being pitched to Nepal from the U.S.: the State Partnership Program (SPP), with much more dubious implications.
The SPP is more military- and defense-related, and allegedly includes plans for “high altitude” military drills, $500 million aid, non-lethal assistance to the Army, and language about using the country’s territory for various U.S. military purposes. Commanding General of the U.S. Army Pacific Charles Flynn just visited Nepal last week and encouraged the government to sign the SPP, and more Nepalese officials are planning visits to the U.S. in the coming weeks. While the U.S. administration is insisting that the SPP is not a military alliance, and that it was initiated as a humanitarian and disaster-response training program, China does not see it that way, and rather views it as part of the attempt to encircle China, now right up to its borders. In addition, U.S. meddling in Nepal is a sore spot for China going back to the 1950’s, during a cross-border conflict at the time.
