ABSTRACT
King Mahendra’s coup drew token opposition from ordinary Nepalese, and virtually no reaction from China. Although more restrained than other Nepali Congressmen in his comments on China’s policies in Tibet, Prime Minister Koirala had become more candid in articulating them. Beijing, on the other hand, had been familiar with Koirala’s strong anti-communist record as well as his party’s strong ties to India. Koirala himself would later dismiss suggestions that the Chinese were somehow behind his overthrow. 1 The western democracies were open – if somewhat subdued – in their criticism of the royal coup.
