India exerts more influence on Nepal than China: Report

India exerts greater influence over Nepal than China due to geographic, religious and cultural factors and Nepal cannot get rid of its "economic dependence" on India quickly as several of its ethnic groups have specials ties with Indians, Chinese media said today.
"Due to geographic, political, economic, historical, religious and cultural factors, India exerts a greater influence on Nepal than China," an article in the state-run Global Times said today, referring to the buzz about growing Chinese influence in Nepal in the backdrop of recent visit of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli to Beijing during which the two sides struck key deals including the trade and transit treaty.

"Kathmandu cannot get rid of its economic dependence on India quickly," the article said.
"Indian influence has deeply penetrated into Nepal's political circle. Although the Nepalese public is annoyed by India's economic blockade of their country, it's difficult to draw them together to change the status quo due to division among ethnic groups," it said.
"Moreover, ethnic groups of Indian origin in Nepal's southern region are unlikely to abandon their special relationship with India," it said.
"Oli's decision to visit India first indicates Nepal is still wary of India's influence over its domestic politics and foreign relations. China's Nepal policy could take the interests of Nepalese ethnic groups of Indian origin into account, but China won't meddle in Nepal's domestic political disputes," it said.

About Chinese President Xi Jinping's remarks to Oli that Nepal should be a bridge between India and China, the article said: "India's consent is a prerequisite for Nepal to assume the role of a bridge".

"Indian strategists, deeming India as a dominant player of South Asia, are accustomed to viewing India's relations with neighbouring countries in a geopolitical context, and taking countries including Nepal and Bhutan within its sphere of influence," it said.
Such a view has been strengthened since Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office, it added.
"It will be only an illusion that Nepal serves as a bridge between China and India if Indian strategists keep their zero-sum mentality unchanged in interpreting China-Nepal relations," it said.