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"Backfire in Nepal" delves into the complex dynamics between India, China, and Nepal, shedding light on how China has emerged as the primary beneficiary of India's democracy-promotion efforts in Nepal. The book examines India's bold move in 2005 to abolish the monarchy and empower former Maoist rebels, which inadvertently played into China's hands.

The relationship between India and Nepal had been historically tied to the Hindu monarchy, which provided a special bond between the two countries. However, successive Nepalese monarchs had played India against China, leading to some friction in the relationship. In retrospect, the book suggests that India could have shown more understanding towards Nepal's circumstances.

The Nepalese Maoists, being primarily communists, were trained to denounce Indian "expansionism" while criticizing American "imperialism." The senior leadership of the Maoists eventually made practical compromises, but it was a leap of faith for India to trust them to rein in their radical cadres. Furthermore, India had to address the concerns of Western democracies that were also involved in Nepal's transition, adding to the complexity of the situation.

The book highlights India's misreading of China's perspective on Nepal, both in terms of China's historical and future visions. This complicates the trilateral challenge of ensuring that Nepal does not become further entangled in the Sino-Indian rivalry, only to be criticized for exacerbating tensions between the two Asian giants.

"Backfire in Nepal" offers a critical analysis of the intricacies of regional politics and power dynamics in South Asia, particularly in relation to Nepal's relationship with India and China. It provides valuable insights into the challenges faced by these countries and the implications for Nepal's future.