Leader of Nepal’s largest communist party named new prime minister
Al JazeeraJul 10
Nepal: Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli Named New Prime Minister
Above: Prime Minister of Nepal, Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli, arrives to greet British Prime Minister Theresa May ahead of bilateral talks at 10 Downing Street on June 11, 2019 in London, England. Image copyright: Chris J Ratcliffe/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli, leader of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist), has been sworn in as the prime minister after the collapse of the governing coalition last Friday.
Oli will lead a coalition with the Nepali Congress party and rotate prime ministerial duties with that party's president, Sher Bahadur Deuba, until the 2027 general election. This will be Oli's fourth term as prime minister of Nepal.
The Spin
Anti-China narrative
The pro-China Oli is leading Nepal towards the siren song of Chinese debt as he voices support for the Belt and Road Initiative, which would undermine its sovereignty. Nepal antagonized its most valuable partner and risks destroying its ancient relationship with India for benefits that may never materialize.
Pro-China narrative
Nepal has every right to pursue a neutral foreign policy and secure the best deal for itself on the world stage, as the paternalism of Indian nationalists is brushed aside. China has been heavily invested in Nepal and has helped the country develop. The world should let Nepal chart its own course without interference.