By Levina
Nepal’s alignment with China’s interests and susceptibility to debt traps are evident, now exacerbated by the leadership of corrupt figures in the finance and home ministries. Chinese Ambassador Chen Song held a meeting with Finance Minister Barshaman Pun on the 19th, focusing on bilateral cooperation and shared interests, as per the Minister’s Secretariat. However, Minister Pun’s involvement has been noted in two cases: a gold smuggling incident and a Nepali citizenship scam facilitating the issuance of passports to Chinese nationals. These concerns were previously highlighted by our reporting.
Read the article: Chinese Citizens Bribing Nepali Authorities To Get Nepali Citizenship
It doesn’t bode well for Nepal to have corrupt leaders as Chinese projects at strategic locations pop up. Interestingly, 3 weeks ago Nepal Government underwent a major reshuffle and snapped ties with pro India Nepal-Congress.
A Corrupt Finance Minister, Home Minister and Ex-Vice President:
In the ongoing investigation led by Nepal Police’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), it has come to light that Finance Minister Barshaman Pun has been in communication with individuals involved in gold smuggling. This revelation emerged during inquiries into the potential involvement of former Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun’s family in gold smuggling activities.
According to CIB sources, information extracted from call detail records (CDRs) indicates that Finance Minister Pun had been in contact with Jiban Kumar Gurung, a person connected to gold smuggling. Concurrently, the Department of Customs is conducting its own investigation, revealing that between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023, Finance Minister Pun and Gurung had engaged in 11 phone conversations.
Analysis of the call details reveals that Pun initiated six calls to Gurung’s number from his mobile phone, while Gurung initiated seven calls to Pun.
Barshaman Pun’s brother, Pranish Pun, owns a gold mining company named Vienna Multipurpose. Pranish had direct dealings with Dawa Tshering, who was arrested on charges of gold smuggling.
This gold smuggler of Chinese origin with Belgian passport also had a Nepali passport.
The security implication of this news is very high for India. As Nepali passport holders can walk into India and can also join into Indian army and get govt jobs in india.
The major opposition party, Nepali Congress, has demanded a response from the government regarding the appointment of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President and lawmaker Rabi Lamichhane as the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs. In their letter addressed to the Prime Minister, the Nepali Congress states:
“It is widely acknowledged that Mr. Lamichhane is currently under police investigation by the Kaski District Police Office for his alleged involvement in cooperative fraud. This information has been extensively covered by various local and national media outlets. However, there has been no clarification from the relevant authority regarding the actual status of the reported investigation.”
Chinese projects coming up along strategic locations in Nepal
When Chinese ambassador Chen Song called on Finance Minister
Barshaman Pun 2 days ago, these were the projects that they discussed. There has been an urgency to finish them.
a) Cross Himalaya Railway— A Himalayan train ride at more than
100 kilometers per hour. With more than 19,000 km of high-speed —
up to 350 km per hour — railways. China is building a rail link
between the Tibet and Nepal.
b) Operations at Tatopani and Rasuwagadhi transit points: Nepali
minister thanked China for smoothly allowing the function of these
2 transit points at the border. Along these transit points much of Nepal’s trade with China takes place.
c) Tokha-Chhahare Tunnel Way: this is Nepal’s plan for a new road
tunnel to connect Kathmandu with China. If the tunnel from Tokha of Kathmandu to Chhahare of Nuwakot district is constructed as planned, one can reach Rasuwagadhi
border from Kathmandu within two and half hours, driving, according to officials.
The tunnel will be just 4.2 kilometres whereas an access road of 35
kilometres has to be constructed to connect it with Pasang Lhamu
Highway heading to Rasuwagadhi. Nepal government has already made a request to the Asian Infrastructure Development Bank for the assistance. The Bank headquartered in Beijing.
d) Pokhara Project: Recently china has been pushing Nepal to complete projects which are connected to China;s dream project BRI. Few days ago Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has pledged to develop Pokhara, as the Tourism Capital of Nepal.
Prachanda claims he will take further measures to eoperate the Korala- Tribeni transit serving as the gateway to Muktinath, the famous religious shrine and improve the Mid-Hill Highway and the Muglin-Pokhara section along the Prithvi Highway.
Controversy is: Nepal’s $216 million international airport in Pokhara, the country’s second-biggest city, opened in January was built with the help of China. Civil societies have been claiming that theres not much tourism in the area ans that the airport is a debt trap.
Oh, what a stroke of luck for Nepal! Just as Chinese projects sprout up in crucial spots, NEpalis suddenly find themselves “blessed” with a fresh batch of corrupt leaders. Could it possibly be a coincidence that this delightful reshuffling happened a mere three weeks ago, right after cutting ties with the oh-so-pro-India Nepal-Congress? India has graciously declared it will continue its noble work with our beloved Nepali government.