Befriend Nepal:

May 09/2016 : As India battles its summer heat, the chill in its relations with neighbouring Nepal is intensifying. So much so, it seems nearing a breaking point. The KP Sharma Oli government has abruptly cancelled the Nepal President's visit to India and withdrew its ambassador from New Delhi, saying it suspected the Indian government was indulging in hostile acts and trying to topple the democratically elected government there. Nepal withdrawing its envoy has amounted to a virtual snapping of diplomatic ties, and a very serious situation has arisen.Those who watched the scenario develop and ties getting strained between the two sides are however not surprised. Sadly, we seem to be losing a trusted ally with which our relations were time-tested and solid until recent times.

The way things were going wrong with Nepal last year, observers on both sides clearly saw how the long-held trust was becoming a thing of the past, how the local population was getting sick of Indians who they suspected were trying to lord over them in their own land, and how they were finding some solace from China. Prime Minister Modi was directly monitoring the incidents taking place between both neighbors. His National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has a dream, it seems, of seeing monarchy return to the mountain nation. It was clear to all how the India inspired blockade on the border, which lasted for months together, deprived the average Nepalese of fuel and other essentials items such as medicines and foodstuff. This was affecting their daily lives to disastrous levels. It was an infringement of basic human rights and that made the citizens of Nepal turn anti India.

Madhesis –the Indian origin people in the plains of Nepal – have, no doubt, a right to protest the changes in the country’s constitution. That, however, is an internal trouble of that country which India should have avoided getting involved with and could  have stayed away with due regard and respect to the sovereignty of an independent nation. It is also clear that China was waiting in the wings to exploit any strain in Nepal’s relations with India, to its great advantage. This is obviously what’s happening now, as is evident also from the signing of a transit treaty by PM Oli during his visit to the Chinese capital last month. No doubt, our officials have often acted in haste and without due thought. Senior Indian diplomats, like school going children, have kept raising the issue of Nepal changing its constitution without due consultations with India. As if India would consult China or any of its neighbors before it brings in any clause to amend its constitution!  It is rumored that the Narendra Damodardass Modi government, at the behest of the RSS, is cut up with Nepal changing its constitution, transforming it into a secular nation, as against its original branding as a Hindoo entity. It effected the change in keeping its people’s wishes, and that’s how the world is changing too. If a government does not mind the mood of the people, it will only get alienated. Nepal, most likely, adopted the correct path.

We need to be patient, accommodative, and give our neighbors time to evolve and mature. It is time India stopped interfering in Nepal’s internal affairs in the ham handed manner it is doing at present. If India delays making amends, the moment vis-a-vis Nepal would be lost forever. As it is, all other neighbors such as Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Burma, Pakistan and of course China are not only upset but are openly belligerent towards India. Nepal was the only exception. That too is fast becoming a thing of the past because of how the Damodardass government is behaving.

We cannot forget the past and the good times we shared with Nepal. In 1962, when China waged war against India, it was Nepal that stood by India and did not give into pressure from China to use its land route for transit of troops to the front. Deceased King Birendra was the most trusted ally of India for ages. Now, in a grim reversal of the scenario, democratically elected Premier Oli is accusing India of creating political instability and backing a plot to overthrow his government, in cahoots with his political allies. His reference was to former PM Prachanda of the United Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist and Sher Bahadur Deuba of the Nepali Congress, who are reportedly planning a national unity government by pulling Oli down from power. India needs to remember that Prachanda, being a Maoist, was over friendly with China during his tenure. The Nepalese people sent him packing because they did not approve of his policies.

Our aim should be to painstakingly promote our ties with our neighbours, not hurt them. Once relations between two countries turn sour, future generations of both nations suffer.