On July 17, 2020, Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) and Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs (AIDIA, Nepal) held the round table “Russia and South Asia: During and Post-COVID-19”.
Ivan Timofeev, RIAC Director of Programs, Sergey Velichkin, Former Ambassador of Russia to Nepal, Hiranya Lal Shrestha, Former Ambassador of Nepal to Russia, Sergey Lunev, Professor at MGIMO University and Higher School of Economics, and Shyam KC, AIDIA Research and Development Director, spoke at the round table. The discussion was moderated by Ksenia Kuzmina, RIAC Program Manager.
On July 17, 2020, Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) and Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs (AIDIA, Nepal) held the round table “Russia and South Asia: During and Post-COVID-19”.
Ivan Timofeev, RIAC Director of Programs, Sergey Velichkin, Former Ambassador of Russia to Nepal, Hiranya Lal Shrestha, Former Ambassador of Nepal to Russia, Sergey Lunev, Professor at MGIMO University and Higher School of Economics, and Shyam KC, AIDIA Research and Development Director, spoke at the round table. The discussion was moderated by Ksenia Kuzmina, RIAC Program Manager.
Russian and Nepalese experts analyzed the current situation in South Asia and Russia’s policy in the region as well as Russia–Nepal relations before and during COVID-19 crisis. It was noted that Russia and Nepal are ready to help each other in case of emergency, such as the 2015 earthquake or the COVID-19 pandemic, however, overall trade, economic and political cooperation as well as people-to-people contacts remain at a low level.
In his speech, Dr. Timofeev drew attention to the fact that COVID-19 caused the greatest damage to developed countries, but not to developing ones as most often happens when “black swans” occur on a global scale. However, he warned that the second wave of the coronavirus infection may more strongly affect Asia and Africa, and South Asia may become one of the most vulnerable regions. At the bilateral level, it is crucial to exchange views on how to tackle the consequences of coronavirus. It was also noted that the South Asian region will be increasingly involved in the confrontation between the US and China, as Washington relies on India as a potential ally, and the economic dependence of some small countries in the region on China is growing.
Ambassador Shrestha emphasized that Russia provided assistance to Nepal in the fight against COVID-19, sending medical supplies. During the pandemic, countries are in particular need of mutual assistance, and international cooperation is a precondition for effectively countering the spread of COVID-19. The diplomat also pointed out that Nepal's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) may help developing Russia–Nepal ties in the railway sector.
Sergey Velichkin thanked the Nepalese side for making evacuation of Russian citizens from Kathmandu in April 2020 possible. Ambassador Velichkin analyzed the impact of the pandemic on a number of sectors of the state’s economy, including tourism, industry, investment and trade. He noted that additional opportunities to attract private investments and capital in the most promising bilateral projects may now emerge. He also highlighted the potential of scientific cooperation between the two nations.
Shyam KC noted that Russia has technological advantages that can be effectively used to develop relations with Nepal and other South Asian nations. The most promising areas where Russian technologies and expertise are most welcome in the region include innovations, education and agriculture.
Dr. Lunev gave a general assessment of the situation in South Asia. It is characterized by an asymmetry due to the dominance of India, as well as by the growing influence of China which has managed to establish strong economic relations with a number of countries including Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. Nepal, as other regional players, is developing relations with China in order to reduce their dependence on India. Sergey Lunev also stated that Moscow was active in the region during the Soviet period, and nowadays India is its key partner in South Asia.
