The social, political, and economic dynamics of Nepal’s 1,414 km border with the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) of China seldom receive serious study in Nepal. In part, this is because much of the border is composed of rugged, inhospitable Himalayan terrain that hinders human movement. However, in the past five years, the scope of Nepal-China bilateral relations has broadened from traditional security concerns to include a newfound interest in physical infrastructure and the movement of people and goods across the border. Greater connectivity has been made possible by greater funding and through new technologies. In this context, it is important to consider historical borderland links in terms of official relations as well as people-to-people connections. This article examines the history and current dynamics of the Nepal-China border, with an eye towards the changing political scenarios in both countries
