Months of strains in ties with India, first sparked by unrest over the new Constitution and an ensuing trade blockade, has seen Kathmandu turning increasingly to Beijing, primarily to step up fuel imports amid an energy crisis caused by the blockade.
China on Thursday announced the opening of a new rail and road trading route to Nepal, coming amid fresh strains in the country's relations with India following the cancellation of its president's visit and the recalling of its envoy from New Delhi earlier this week. Months of strains in ties with India, first sparked by unrest over the new Constitution and an ensuing trade blockade, has seen Kathmandu turning increasingly to Beijing, primarily to step up fuel imports amid an energy crisis caused by the blockade.