According to Chinese foreign ministry statements cited in a Reuters report, Wang told Khanal that China places Nepal at the forefront of its “neighbourhood diplomacy” and reaffirmed Beijing’s support for Nepal’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The visit comes as China and India continue to compete for strategic influence in Nepal, a country of around 30 million people situated between Asia’s two largest economies, both of which have longstanding political and border tensions.

Analysts say Nepal’s shifting political leadership has created uncertainty for Beijing, particularly as infrastructure projects linked to China’s Belt and Road Initiative have faced delays and financing disagreements in recent years.

During the talks, Wang reiterated China’s willingness to expand cooperation with Nepal in infrastructure development, including energy, transport and aviation projects, while emphasising continued engagement under the Belt and Road framework.

The report noted that Nepal has received substantial financial engagement from both China and India, with infrastructure investment and lending forming a key part of their respective regional diplomacy strategies.

China is also seeking to strengthen ties with Nepal at a time when it faces broader geopolitical competition in South Asia, while Nepal’s leadership has signalled an interest in maintaining balanced relations with both Beijing and New Delhi.

The meeting underscores Kathmandu’s effort to navigate competing regional interests while addressing domestic development priorities and political change following its recent election cycle.

Zelensky has conducted a series of high-level visits to Gulf and regional states, including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan and Syria, positioning Kyiv as a provider of security expertise in a region where influence has often tilted toward Russia.

Analysts say Ukraine’s battlefield experience, particularly in countering Iranian-designed drones used by Russian forces, has enabled it to offer specialized anti-drone capabilities abroad.

Ukrainian officials said more than 200 experts were deployed to multiple countries in response to escalating drone activity during the regional conflict.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said Moscow was reacting negatively to Kyiv’s expanding ties in the Gulf, accusing Russia and Iran of spreading disinformation aimed at undermining Ukraine’s role in the region.

The diplomatic push marks a shift from 2022, when Kyiv relied heavily on Western partners for military assistance following Russia’s invasion. The proliferation of drone warfare has since allowed Ukraine to develop niche capabilities that are now in demand internationally.

While details of the security agreements remain undisclosed, analysts say Ukraine may seek financial backing from Gulf states to scale its defense technologies. Some observers suggest Kyiv could leverage these partnerships to secure investment and sustain its military innovation sector.

However, analysts caution that the outreach has yet to produce a strategic breakthrough. Many Middle Eastern states have maintained balanced relations with both Kyiv and Moscow, avoiding sanctions on Russia while positioning themselves as mediators in the conflict.

The durability of Ukraine’s expanded role may also depend on the trajectory of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire and continued demand for its defense capabilities in the region.