Nepal's Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli is scheduled to pay Vietnam and Cambodia state visits within the next few days but some foreign policy experts questioned the purpose behind his upcoming travels.
According to The Phnom Penh Post, analysts argued that Oli's country is known for being less inclined to diplomatic relations with other countries. Nepal is also not recognized as one of the countries that interact with other nations for investments or exports.
Concerned foreign policy leaders reportedly said Nepali Prime Minister Oli's visits to Vietnam and Cambodia from May 9 to 15 appear to contradict the Nepali government's previous statements regarding engagement with other countries.
Oli is expected to arrive in Cambodia and Vietnam with Nepal's lawmakers. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also announced that the visit will involve discussions about visa fee waivers - an issue that has been going on for years.
Foreign Minister Pradeem Gyawali previously said the upcoming visits of will mark an opportunity for Oli to follow up on bilateral relations with Vietnam and Cambodia. However, some analysts said are concerned about the state visits.
Director of the South Asian Studies Nishchal Nath Pandey told the Kathmandu Post that it seems unlikely for the Nepali PM to visit the two countries. "I do not see any reason why the prime minister is visiting these two nations. Both Cambodia and Vietnam are on the international radar for being illiberal democracies where there is a lack of freedom," Pandey pointed out.
Pandey added that the Nepali leader's upcoming itinerary has been made questionable since Nepal doesn't have existing embassies in both Vietnam and Cambodia. So far, Oli has visited China, India, Switzerland, and Costa Rica, wherein his visit to the latter garnered criticism.
While Oli's previous state visits in other nations raised talk among economic experts, his arrival in Cambodia later this week has been planned earlier. Oli was invited by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen himself.
For some diplomatic analysts, it would have been better if Oli visited Bangladesh since the state visit could have opened doors for potential exchange in terms of energy connectivity.
Oli and his wife are expected to arrive in Vietnam on Thursday, May 9 and will attend the U.N. Day of Vesak. The annual festivities will be held at the Tam Chuc Buddhism Culture Centre in Kim Bang district in Ha Nam Province.
The Nepali PM will also meet high-position officials and is set to speak at the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics. In Hanoi, Oli will grace the Nepal-Vietnam Business Forum as one of the guest speakers.
Not much is known about the itinerary for Oli's Cambodia trip but it is expected that the Nepali Prime Minister will discuss developments regarding the agreements that were signed by both sides late last year.
