Nepal Denies Supporting China’s Claim on Global Security Initiative

Nepal has denied backing China’s claim regarding the Global Security Initiative (GSI) on August 30, the day Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli met Chinese President Xi Jinping for bilateral talks in Tianjin.

Issuing a statement, China’s Foreign Ministry said: “Nepal supports the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by China, values the role of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, actively upholds the ‘Shanghai Spirit,’ and looks forward to China playing an even bigger role in international affairs.”

According to Beijing, the Global Development Initiative (GDI) focuses on poverty reduction, the GSI on security cooperation, and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) on cultural exchange. Analysts widely see the GSI as part of China’s broader geopolitical strategy.

The claim drew criticism in Kathmandu from both ruling and opposition leaders, who argued that Nepal must steer clear of regional security frameworks to preserve its neutral foreign policy stance.

Dr Yubaraj Khatiwada, economic and development advisor to PM Oli, stressed that no such understanding had been reached. Speaking to the state-owned RSS news agency, he said the government remains guided by Nepal’s Constitution and non-alignment policy, adding: “Nepal cannot be part of any other country’s security strategy.”

Khatiwada clarified that Oli’s visit was primarily for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, where no agreements or memoranda are signed on the sidelines. “It is incorrect to claim that Nepal supported the GSI when no agreement has been made,” he said.

The Embassy of Nepal in Beijing, in its own statement released the same day, made no reference to the GSI. Instead, it highlighted President Xi’s assurance that China supports Nepal’s national vision of “Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali.” Xi also pledged stronger cooperation in multilateral forums such as the UN and SCO, reiterated China’s appreciation for Nepal’s adherence to the One China policy, and expressed readiness to advance “high-quality” Belt and Road Initiative projects already agreed upon.

During the bilateral meeting, discussions also covered expanding connectivity, industrial and infrastructure development, cooperation in health, agriculture, investment, tourism, science and technology, sports, disaster management, people-to-people exchanges, and Nepal’s broader socio-economic transformation, Dr Khatiwada added.

PM Oli’s meeting with President Xi came on the first day of his five-day visit to China to attend the SCO Plus Summit and attend commemorative events marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Asia.