Kathmandu, April 16 -- While unveiling a draft national commitment framework, based on the manifestos and commitment papers unveiled by six national parties, the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers labelled Nepal as a "buffer state" that aims to turn into a "vibrant bridge" between India and China.

The document says this will happen through multilateral economic partnerships and connectivity mechanisms, thereby ensuring national security and stability.

But several foreign policy observers question the use of the terminology-"buffer state"-which they say is not contextual, and does not represent the current geopolitical realities. Some of them also raised objections to the use of the word "equidistance" in the conduct o...