International Seminar
on
Geopolitics and BRI in South Asia 

With the motive to initiate a wider engagement of stakeholders to discuss the implications of BRI in the South Asian region and to disseminate the research findings on “Prospects and Challenges of Nepal-China BRI Agreement”, Centre for Social Inclusion and Federalism (CESIF) organized the 'International Seminar on ‘Geopolitics and BRI in South Asia’ on 23rd December, 2022 at The Everest Hotel, Kathmandu, Nepal. The conference brought together ex-ministers, analysts, academics, diplomats, bureaucrats, politicians, government officials, journalists and experts from South Asian Countries to discuss upon the issues surrounding China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), its geopolitical implications, the fear of perceived “debt-trap diplomacy” of China and other country-specific concern. 

 

Panel I: BRI and Nepal-China Relations

The first panel on ‘BRI and Nepal-China Relations’ brought together former Minister for Foreign Affairs, and current Member of Parliament, Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat and Former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Pradeep Gyawali. The session was moderated by Associate Editor at AP1 Television, Ms. Sama Thapa.


 

Panel II: Geopolitics and BRI in South Asia

The second panel entitled, ‘Geopolitics and BRI in South Asia,’ brought together, Professor Srikanth Kondapalli and Dr. Devendra Kumar from India, Dr. Towfiqul Islam Khan from Bangladesh, Dr. Harim Watson Peiris from Srilanka and Mr. Ajaya Bhadra Khanal from Nepal. The session was moderated by Amb. Vijay Kant Karna.
 

Panel III – Nepal-China BRI Agreement: Sectoral Perspectives

The third Panel of the seminar discussed on ‘Nepal-China BRI agreement: Sectoral Perspectives’ which brought together Mr. Purushottam Ojha, the Former Secretary of Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Mr. Akhilesh Updhayay, Senior Fellow at IIDS, Dr. Rupak Sapkota, Former Deputy Executive Director at Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) and Ms. Shreeya Rana, Senior Program & Research Officer, Policy Entrepreneurs Inc. (PEI) which was moderated by Mr. Amish Raj Mulmi, noted author.