Subject: Russia-Nepal relations

1. What would you identify as the main actions, drivers and objectives of Russia
(beyond the aspirations for a global power position)

The main driver for increasing Nepal-Russia relationship and Russia’s interest in Nepal is
to establish investment/trade relations, by participating in the development of Nepal’s energy
sector. Since the beginning of Russia-Nepal relationship, Russia has shown its interest in
hydropower capabilities of Nepal; providing assistance to build Panauti Hydro-electric power in
1956 . In 2013, Joint Russia-Nepal Working Group on Energy Cooperation (RNJWGEC) was
established to facilitate public and private investment from Russia for hydro-power projects in
Nepal and well as increase technical cooperation in the area of energy efficiency and renewable
energy. In 2019, Nepal also accepted Russia’s proposal to renew meetings of the existing
working group on energy cooperation.1
Russia has also shown interest in exploring mineral deposits of the country, and in
supplying military-technical projects such as helicopters (it has supplied Mi-17 helicopters in the
past).2 During foreign minister Pradeep Gyawali’s visit to Moscow in November 2019, an
invitation was extended to Putin for a high-level visit to Nepal and plans were also underway to
sign technical-military cooperation agreement. There had been news regarding Putin’s visit to
Nepal for December, however it did not happen. News of Putin’s visit had also given rise to
news regarding Russia’s interest to interest in uranium deposits of the country3. 

Other examples of interest in energy sector:

● In 2017, a delegation of Russian scientists and representatives of domestic innovation

organizations and associations visited Nepal. The main purpose of the visit was to
participate in the International Scientific and Technical Conference "Future Energy:
Materials, Technologies and Ecology". The conference also included a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) between the Platov South Russian State Polytechnic University
(Novocherkassk, Rostov region) and Kathmandu University4.

1
Interview given by H.E. Mr. Aleksei A. Novikov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Nepal (newspaper "Nepali Times",
20 December 2019). https://nepal.mid.ru/en/press-
centre/news/interview_given_by_h_e_mr_aleksei_a_novikov_ambassador_of_the_russian_federation_to_nepal_newspaper_/
2
“RUSSIA NEPAL: 60 YEARS OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS.” Главная, 26 Sept. 2016, nepal.mid.ru/en/press-
centre/news/russia_nepal_60_years_of_diplomatic_relations/.
https://nepal.mid.ru/en/press-centre/news/russia_nepal_60_years_of_diplomatic_relations/
3
“Russia's Interest in Nepal's Uranium Reserves, Russian President Putin Coming to Nepal.” Fastest News Nepal, 22 Nov.
2019, fastestnewsnepal.com/2019/11/22/09/4215/.https://fastestnewsnepal.com/2019/11/22/09/4215/
4
“International Conference ‘Future Energy: Materials, Technologies and Ecology’ in Nepal.” RUSSIAN CENTRE FOR
SCIENCE AND CULTURE IN KATHMANDU, 21 Nov. 2017, npl.rs.gov.ru/en/news/20785?category_id=5.
http://npl.rs.gov.ru/en/news/20785?category_id=5
 2. What are the areas where Russian actions/strategy goes against EU objectives
and/or interest; and where there is scope for positive engagement

- Since Russia has only a remote engagement in Nepal, following far behind those of India,
China and a number of other countries, its actions/strategy on Nepal are not concrete and
unilateral. There are no outstanding issues on Nepal in the international fora where it
could possibly have a role. Its interest in Nepal lies in respecting multilateralism. Scope
for positive engagement could be in the development of hydro-power projects which are
also aligned with the EU's green deal.

3. What can be seen as the main vulnerabilities for the hybrid threats in your
respective country, including disinformation/propaganda activities identified in the
past
Absence of significant vulnerabilities due to lack of prominent role of Russia in the
country. No signs of disinformation/propaganda activities identified in the past with Russia’s
role (although groups of North Korean hackers and Chinese private cybercrime groups have
been discovered operating from Nepal). Russia is seeking cooperation between television
channels of Russia and Nepal5.

4. What are the main perceptions in your host country towards Russia, including a
brief historical overview of the relations.

Nepal and Russia established diplomatic relations on 20 July 1956. The economic and
technical cooperation between the two countries started from 1959. USSR provided assistance to
Nepal for the setting-up of the following projects: Kanti Hospital, Panauti Hydro-electric power
station, Pathalaiya-Dhalkebar Highway, Janakpur Cigarette Factory, Arcicultural Tools Factory,
Birgunj Sugar Mill, Rosin and Turpentine Plant in western Nepal. There have also been visits
exchanged between judicial bodies of the countries. The last high-level visit was in 2019, when
foreign minister Pradeep Gyawali visited Moscow. He was   the first foreign minister to visit
Russia in thirteen years.
One of the most important contributions which has impacted Russia’s perception has
been the scholarships which were provided to Nepali students by the former USSR, mostly in the
field of engineering and medicine. At one period, Nepal’s medical and engineering fields were
dominated by engineers and doctors trained in Russia. The Russia returnees also have their own
organisation called Mitra Kunj to keep track of the more than 5,000 alumni of Russian
universities. While it is not the same today, there are still Nepali students who go to Russia
mostly for technical studies. Presence of Nepal billionaires who studied in Russia such as Dr
Upendra Mahato, who is also president of the Russia-Nepal Chamber of Commerce and
5
Interview given by H.E. Mr. Aleksei A. Novikov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Nepal (newspaper "Nepali Times",
20 December 2019). https://nepal.mid.ru/en/press-
centre/news/interview_given_by_h_e_mr_aleksei_a_novikov_ambassador_of_the_russian_federation_to_nepal_newspaper_/
 Industry, in Russia, and the Honorary Consul General of Nepal in the Republic of Belarus, has
also played a postive role in Russia’s perception towards Nepal.
2. Fill in the following table with few sentences summarising the key elements under each
heading

Nepal Diplomatic/Political Relations Economic/trade relations Energy/Nuclear Military, including arms

with Russia
Name of Diplomatic relations extends back to
host country 1959. Currently, both countries have
their embassies in one another’s
territory. Russian Centre of Science
and Culture (RCSC) was also
established in 1979 in Kathmandu
and serves as a cultural centre where
activites are organized and Nepali
students can learn Russian. Other
organisation between the two
countries include; Nepal-Russia
Friendship Association, Nepal-Russia
Cultural Association, Nepal-Russia
Chamber of Commerce and
Industries, Mitrakunj, Shailee
Theater, Nepal-Russia Literary
Association.
with Russia trading-Russian
influences
Russia and Nepal are not very Russia has been There had been news in
strong trade partners although mostly interested in November 2019 regarding
both countries have agreed to Nepal’s hydro- military-technical agreement
increase the list of tradable power potential. A to be signed between Russia-
goods between the countries. working group for Nepal. While the details were
Currently Nepal exports mostly energy cooperation not provided, news included
handicrafts, carpets and imports also exists between increasing supply of Mi-17
electrical equipments, industrial the countries. helicopters to Nepal. 6
raw material, airplane and Ambassador of
helicopter parts. Russia, Aleksei A
Novikov, has also
stated Russia’s
interest in exploring
the country’s
minerals.

Regional cooperation: Nepal is one of

the dialogue partners in the Shanghai
Cooperation Organisation which was
founded by China, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan.

6
“Russia-Nepal Cooperation Poised for Growth: Ambassador.” Nepali Times, 20 Dec. 2019, www.nepalitimes.com/here-
now/russia-nepal-cooperation-poised-for-growth-ambassador/.
https://www.nepalitimes.com/here-now/russia-nepal-cooperation-poised-for-growth-
ambassador/https://www.nepalitimes.com/here-now/russia-nepal-cooperation-poised-for-growth-ambassador/
Sources:

“International Conference ‘Future Energy: Materials, Technologies and Ecology’ in

Nepal.” RUSSIAN CENTRE FOR SCIENCE AND CULTURE IN KATHMANDU, 21 Nov.
2017, npl.rs.gov.ru/en/news/20785?category_id=5.

“Interview given by H.E. Mr. Aleksei A. Novikov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation
to Nepal (Newspaper ‘Nepali Times’, 20 December 2019).” Главная,
nepal.mid.ru/en/press-
centre/news/interview_given_by_h_e_mr_aleksei_a_novikov_ambassador_of_the_russian
_federation_to_nepal_newspaper_/.

Mikovic, Nikola, et al. “What Are Russia's Interests in Nepal?” Australian Institute of
International Affairs, 14 Jan. 2020,
www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/what-are-russias-interests-in-nepal/.

“Nepal -Russia Relations.” Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal MOFA, mofa.gov.np/nepal-

russia-relations/.

“Nepal, Russia to Sign Military Cooperation Agreement.” OnlineKhabar, 26 Nov. 2019,

english.onlinekhabar.com/nepal-russia-to-sign-military-cooperation-agreement.html.

Panda, Ankit. “Nepal Becomes Shanghai Cooperation Organization Dialogue Partner.” –

The Diplomat, For The Diplomat, 24 Mar. 2016, thediplomat.com/2016/03/nepal-becomes-
shanghai-cooperation-organization-dialogue-partner/.

“RUSSIA NEPAL: 60 YEARS OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS.” Главная, 26 Sept.

2016, nepal.mid.ru/en/press-centre/news/russia_nepal_60_years_of_diplomatic_relations/.

“Russia, Nepal to Mark 75 Years since the End of the WWII.” Embassy of the Russian
Federation in Nepal, 26 Dec. 2019, nepal.mid.ru/en/press-
centre/news/russia_nepal_to_mark_75_years_since_the_end_of_the_wwii/.

“Russia-Nepal Cooperation Poised for Growth: Ambassador.” Nepali Times, 20 Dec. 2019,
www.nepalitimes.com/here-now/russia-nepal-cooperation-poised-for-growth-ambassador/.

Russia's Interest in Nepal's Uranium Reserves, Russian President Putin Coming to Nepal.”
Fastest News Nepal, 22 Nov. 2019, fastestnewsnepal.com/2019/11/22/09/4215/.