The Geopolitics of Nepal: A Yam Wedged Between Two Boulders

Words by Anmol G.

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This map is a digitally rendered topographic representations of South Asia (printed in 2D). In order to create these maps, Digital Elevation Data (DEM) is obtained from NASA's Shuttle Radar Topography Mission and is processed and digitally rendered to create a highly detailed elevation profile of South Asia and printed on a flat surface. Two versions of the map are available, each with different hypsometric colour overlays that highlight the difference in elevation, creating beautiful artworks (Available now as print).

The Geopolitics of Nepal: A Yam Wedged Between Two Boulders

Nepal, located between India and China and surrounded by plateaus to the north, is often compared to a yam wedged between two boulders, leaving it exposed and vulnerable from all other directions. Nepal’s relationship with its neighbours is complicated, to say the least. With a broad dependency on India for trade and security, and on China for aid and development, Nepal finds itself at an unfortunate intersection of brewing geopolitics. Nepal’s close relationship with its most culturally, historically, and politically similar neighbour, India, has often led to India's meddling in Nepalese affairs through mediatory measures involving either Nepali democracy or the reinstatement of a rightful monarch. However, in recent years, after globalization truly connected the tiny Himalayan nation to the rest of the world, influences from neighbours other than India have begun to exert more than just a fleeting impact on Nepal's internal affairs.