Kathmandu says no to NGOs that 'harm' interests of China and India
The Social Welfare Council is examining a new political strategy in foreign policy on balancing relations with neighboring powers. On the border with India there are several Islamic madrassas funded by Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. China fears the movements of the Tibetans.
Kathmandu (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The Kathmandu government wants to ban international NGOs that could "damage" relations with the two neighboring superpowers, China and India.
Government officials have cited a new social policy strategy aimed at protecting the interests of neighboring countries. In order to maintain good relations with Delhi, the priority - say the sources - is to counter terrorism and cross-border criminal activities. for Beijing, it is important to prevent Tibetans from fleeing through Nepal.
Local officials have told the Kathmandu Post that the new political strategy on social projects is being examined by the Social Welfare Council: the heart of the law is based on the dynamics already applied in foreign policy, that is, "keeping relations balanced" with India and China. To do so, any project opposed by either of the two countries should be canceled.
The document describes Nepal as "a landlocked country with two large countries to the north and south with large populations". Durga Prasad Bhattarai, of the Council's communication office, reports that "the objective of the proposed law is to reaffirm that the government of Nepal is concerned about the strategic mobilization of non-governmental organizations in particular in the border regions, to build madrassas [Islamic schools , ed] and monasteries ".
The Council reports that Koranic schools on the border with India receive funds from Islamic majority countries such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Rajendra Kumar Poudel, secretary of the Council, admits that India has raised concerns about the massive presence of madrassas on the border, which could increase the proliferation of extremism.
Poudel said the Nepalese government had begun "scrutinizing the origin of the sources and the nature of the programs conducted within the schools". However, “it is wrong to paint all Koranic schools equally. There are some in the areas of Morang and Sunsari that impart a good education and many others that attract students from the peripheries".
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22/03/2021 12:59
