Chinese media says that the new Nepal Prime Minister, KP Sharma Oli is expected to keep closer ties with China.
The new Prime Minister of Nepal, KP Sharma Oli is "pro-China" and is expected to keep closer ties with the Communist nation despite Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to boost ties with it, according to the Chinese official media.
"(Prime Minister Narendra) Modi has made efforts to develop friendly relations with neighbouring countries since he came to office (in May last year). This has contributed to the change of diplomatic landscape of South Asian nations," said an article in the State-run Global Times.
The article, titled 'Nepal warms toward China as new Beijing-friendly coalition takes power', said the previous coalition government headed by Nepali Congress Party (NCP) was "customarily perceived as pro-India" while Mr Oli is "pro-China".
It said, "Instead of keeping a distance from India, they (South Asian nations) are gradually moving to strike a balance between India and China. This is the broad regional environment Nepal is facing. Despite this, Kathmandu under Oli's governance is expected to keep closer ties with Beijing."
"Many Nepalese are very friendly and willing to cooperate with Beijing. Kathmandu, under Oli governance is expected to have close ties with Beijing which is to the benefits of both the nations," it said.
Until Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) came to power, Nepal, mostly ruled by the NCP, which was a "fervent follower of New Delhi while remaining tepid towards Beijing.
However, CPN despite its short term in office, transformed the nation's attitude towards India and China," said the article written by Xu Liang, Executive Director at the India Studies Centre of the State-run Beijing International Studies University.
It said that, "Unlike the Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (UCPN-M), which is characterised by relatively radical policies, CPN strives of stability and aims to develop Nepal-China friendship step by step."
The article referred to the changed diplomatic landscape in South Asia in terms of departure from a "pro-China policy" the previous Sri Lankan government followed under Mahinda Rajapaksa as well as "a balanced approach" followed by the government of Maldives, which earlier was seen as heavily tilted towards China.