{
  "id": 3745588,
  "title": "India Or China? Nepal Says It Won't Choose, Will Put National Interest First",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/india-or-china-nepal-says-it-wont-choose-will-put-national-interest",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-27T13:25:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/world/india-or-china-nepal-says-it-wont-choose-will-put-national-interest-first"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nepal remains steadfast in its ties with both India and China, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal declared. He emphasized that the country's foreign policy will prioritize its national interest, not allegiance to either neighbor. Comparing Nepal's relationships to those within a family, Khanal stressed that one should not replace the other, noting the unique historical and civilizational significance of each bond. While Nepal values its strong ties with both nations, Khanal affirmed that it will not seek to supplement one relationship with the other. Responding to questions about its policy of balancing India and China, Khanal clarified that Nepal's approach is not about choosing sides but protecting its own national interests. He dismissed the notion that Nepal is under China's influence, highlighting the long-standing trade relations between the two countries. India remains Nepal's largest trading partner, with around two-thirds of the Himalayan nation's total trade taking place with its southern neighbor. Khanal also downplayed the impact of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Nepal, stating that the country has received no financial returns from the initiative over the past decade. He invited Indian businesses to invest in Nepal, highlighting sectors such as energy, tourism, and technology as priority areas for bilateral cooperation.",
  "summary": "Nepal will continue to maintain strong and independent ties with both India and China, refusing to replace one relationship with the other, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said, stressing that Kathmandu’s foreign policy will be guided by its national interest. Speaking at NDTV World’s Anviksha India-Nepal Dialogue in Kathmandu on Thursday, Khanal used a family analogy to underline the importance…",
  "key_points": [
    "Nepal maintains ties with both India and China.",
    "Foreign Minister Khanal prioritizes national interest over allegiance.",
    "India is Nepal's largest trading partner."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}