The Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) has said it will submit a memorandum to the Embassy of China in Kathmandu on Thursday, requesting the northern neighbour to support the agendas of the agitating Madhesi and Janajati communities. 

The decision of the SLMM, an alliance of seven Madhes-based parties, to submit the memorandum seeking support from the northern neighbour comes a day after Morcha leaders’ meeting with Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and days before Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s scheduled visit to China.

PM Oli is leaving for China on March 20 on an official visit at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang. This is the first time the Morcha is officially seeking China’s support for their struggle. 

During a meeting with Indian Foreign Secretary Jaishankar on Tuesday, Morcha leaders had sought “more active role of India in resolving remaining demands, including the revision of federal boundaries”. The Morcha has already issued an ultimatum to the government to address their demands by mid-April. 

Laxman Lal Karna, co-chair of Sadbhawana Party, said the Morcha wants to draw China’s attention to Madhes crisis. He added that the Morcha would request Beijing to press PM Oli to address their demands. 

“We want to request China to support our cause. We will inform them about the concerns of Madhesi, Janajati and other communities,” said Karna. During his meeting with Morcha leaders on Tuesday, Jaishankar had told them that he would talk to PM Oli and newly elected Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba about their concerns. While talking to PM Oli later on Tuesday, Jaishankar had urged him to resolve the remaining issues through dialogue. 

The stark difference—when it came to reaction from the neighbouring countries—was palpable in Kathmandu after Nepal adopted its new constitution in September. While China welcomed the new charter, calling it a historical achievement, India had merely “noted” it. 

Sadbhawana Party cadres had even burnt Chinese flags, accusing Beijing of “siding with Kathmandu”. Later Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum-Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav had issued a statement condemning the act. Madhesi leaders argue that Beijing should press Kathmandu to listen to marginalised and excluded communities, saying that conflicts in Nepal would affect China as well. 

“China should realise that it’s not just Madhes that is unhappy with the new constitution. Janajatis living along its border are equally disappointed as the constitution has curtailed their right as well,” said a Madhesi leader. 

Morcha leaders said they are also planning to draw the attention of other countries, or the international community for that matter, to their cause and demands. 

Top Morcha leaders, including Yadav and Tarai Madhesi Loktantrik Party chairman Mahantha Thakur, are currently in New Delhi, the capital city of India, to “seek Indian support” for their struggle.