Mapping Inclusivity in Nepal's Connectivity Discourse
- Prakash BhandariDetails
6 October 2024/२० असोज २०८१ (आइतबार, दिउँसो ३ बजे)
Research Seminar Series
Mapping Inclusivity in Nepal's Connectivity Discourse
Prakash Bhandari, PhD Candidate, Department of International Relations, South Asian University, New Delhi
Abstract:
As Nepal engages with China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and seeks cooperation with other partners such as India, the United States, and Japan to bolster its connectivity, its connectivity discourse appears increasingly shaped by economic and political orientations. With Nepal striving to expand its connectivity on multiple fronts through collaboration with diverse global partners, examining the inclusivity—or exclusivity—of its approach to connectivity becomes crucial. In this context, questions about inclusivity are rising, mainly concerning local labour participation, the potential socio-cultural impacts on local communities, ecological concerns and the representation of marginalized groups, including women. This presentation aims to map these inclusivity challenges within Nepal's ongoing connectivity discourse, highlighting how well the nation's connectivity agenda addresses or overlooks this critical issue.
About the Speaker:
Prakash Bhandari recently submitted his doctoral thesis, titled “Bringing Local Perspectives in the Regional Connectivity Discourse: How Nepal views the Competing Visions of Connectivity by China and India?” His thesis offers an in-depth exploration of the multifaceted challenges and opportunities that Nepal encounters in its pursuit of enhanced connectivity. His research centres on the politics of connectivity and Nepal's relations with India and China.