In a surprising move, Nepalese Prime Minister (PM) KP Sharma Oli is believed to have told the Chinese Ambassador Hou Yanqi that he is capable of handling challenges within his party without any assistance from other countries, reports Hindustan Times.

The move by PM Oli is also shaping up when former PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' had been driving opposition against him, prompting PM Oli to tell his supporters that he is open to split the party, which is an eventuality that China has been trying to avert by playing a peacemaker's role in the NCP in the past.

It should be noted that this comes days before Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe's visit to the Himalayan nation when he is also likely to take up conversations linked to the Nepal Communist Party (NCP)'s affairs. The development gains significance as it comes at a time when China's growing indulgence in Nepal's political landscape has drawn concerns from watchers in New Delhi.

Also, it comes, while Indo-Nepal ties are only beginning to recover from the tensions which had soared following Nepal's inclusion of Indian territories of Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh in its official map by the route of a constitutional amendment.