The recently concluded six day visit of Nepal Prime Minister
Khadge Prasad Sharma Oil to India laid a platform for revival of the
Indo-Nepalese friendly ties which were muddled by the 135-day long agitation of
Madhesi and Tharu groups in Nepal. Oli’s visit to India is in line the
long-standing tradition where Nepali leaders first India after assuming power.
The notable exception was Pusha Kamal Dahal, the 33rd Prime Minister
of Nepal, whose Maoist leanings augured him to visit China first. The last
Nepalese Prime Minister to visit India was Baburam Bhattari in 2011. Due to the
prevailing political differences between Himalayan neighbors, it was widely
believed that Oli would embark on his first bilateral foreign tour to China.
Oil’s visit to India comes at a time when Nepal had a brief respite from the
unremitting agitations of the Madhesi’s. On Feb 5th for the first
time in 135 days, Raxaul-Birgunj border was opened allowing the free passage of
trucks ahead of Oli’s visit to India.
Indo-Nepal relations hit a new low with the eruption of Madhesi Andolan in response to the
promulgation of Nepal’s new constitution on September 20th 2015.
Madhesis, Tharus and Janjatis who inhabit the plains in the Southern parts of
Nepal have close cultural and linguistic relations with India protested as the
new constitution is non-inclusive. They claim that basic rights of
proportionate representation in the legislative bodies is diluted as the newly
craved out seven new territories largely favored people living in the hills and
had discriminatory citizenship provisions. The relentless protests which
claimed 45 lives, led to the blockade at the Indo-Nepal border. With disruption
of movement of goods along Nepal’s southern border, Nepal reeled under severe
shortages of fuel, medicines and essential supplies. Nepal’s economy which was
crippled by devastating Himalayan Earthquake in April 2015 was hard hit by this
five month long agitation. The relations between the two Himalayan neighbors
soured leaving a deep scar on the bilateral relationships. Nepal accused India
of imposing a blockade in support of agitating Madhesis, largely of
Indian-origin. Though India asserted that border tensions were the result of
the internal protests in Nepal and urged Kathmandu to resolve the issue in
harmony and ensure “uninterrupted commerce”. During this dead lock ill-advised
Nepal facing severe humanitarian crisis besides criticizing India, played China
card to resolve its energy crisis.
The abrasions in Indo-Nepal bilateral relationships further
deepened as Nepal was irked by the mention of the Lipu-Lekh pass in a Joint
Statement between India and China during Modi visit to Beijing in May 2015.
Lipu-Lekh pass also referred to as tri-corner connects India, China and Nepal.
India and China during the course of various trade transactions agreed to
expand border trade at Lipu-Lekh pass. Nepal took a strong of the reference
to the pass, an integral part of its territory as an intrusion into its
sovereignty and considered the overture as a hegemonic stop of its big
neighbors.
With protests showing no signs of remission, Indian Prime
Minister on his behalf has sent an envoy urging the Nepalese leadership to work
towards an inclusive constitution. Following an intense stand-off between
government and Madhesis a conciliatory four point proposal emerged. It tried to
address the basic demands by clarifying the provisions regarding citizenship,
revision of demarcation of federal boundaries and representation of people on the
basis of population in legislative bodies. Though complete consensus has not
yet reached, both parties- United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) and Nepalese
government are working towards a logical conclusion.
Besides the close geographical alignment between India and
Nepal the bilateral relations were strengthened by the India-Nepal Treaty of
Peace and Friendship 1950. This treaty facilitated free movement of goods and
people between the countries and fostered close collaboration in matters of
defense and foreign policy. While both nations were enthusiastic in the
beginning, resentment started brewing up in Nepal over India’s intervention and
subsequently by 1960s Nepal began to associate with China closely forcing the
Indian mission to leave and slowly both nations began to ignore the provisions
of the treaty. The paharis of Nepal were against the treaty as they perceived
it to be unequal. By and large the relations began two countries suffered gross
neglect and dereliction under 10 years of UPA rule.
After coming to power in 2014, Modi tried to resurrect
relations with all the neighboring SAARC countries and invited their leaders
for his swearing-in ceremony. This was followed up by a bilateral visit to
Kathmandu in the first three of assuming the office. Further the swift help,
mobilization of the rescue and relief team and pumping of resources by Modi
government immediately after the tragic earthquake holds testimony to India’s
commitment towards its neighbor. Indeed India was the country to reach out to
Nepal during its crucial hour of crisis. However, Nepal didn’t like Indian
media coverage of the earthquake. It termed Indian actions as intrusive and
labelled it as cheap publicity exercise. Nepal appealed to Indian rescue team
to leave. Though India was embarrassed, the government acted in a mature way.
Nepal was hard hit by earthquake which not only claimed over 9000 lives but
also caused severe damages entailing a loss of $10 billion-roughly half of
Nepal’s GDP. India has committed $1 billion credit line to Nepal towards
reconstruction works.
India has been quite supportive of restoration of democratic
process in Nepal and welcomed promulgation of the New Constitution. But the
Madhesi agitation and the subsequent blockade had stifled the bilateral relations.
Oli having failed to control the law and order situation attributed the
insurgency to India and unsuccessfully played China card. In the meanwhile,
deputy PM and foreign Minister of Nepal Kamal Thapa tried to revive relations
between the countries. Modi too responded positively and in a remarkable
gesture invited Nepal Prime Minister to visit India. Thus Oli’s current visit
was an attempt to revive the friendly ties between the countries and activate
bilateral working mechanisms which were severely affected. Moreover,
maintaining good relations with Nepal is highly critical for India with China
increasing its investments in infrastructure, energy and telecommunications.
Reports even suggest that Pakistan enjoys goodwill among certain sections of
Nepal. Using the ruse of free border movement across India and Nepal, Pakistan
is covertly pushing terror elements into India. Nepal’s stability is crucial
aspect for India’s security. Also, the political instability in the Southern
border of Nepal can spill over to the bordering states of Uttar Pradesh and
Bihar.
Indian government displayed its resolve to engage with Nepal by
sending a high-level political delegation headed by Minister of External
Affairs Sushma Swaraj to Kathmandu to pay final homage on the death of former
Nepalese Prime Minister Sushil Kumar Koirala. The delegation even called on
Prime Minister and President of Nepal before returning home. This gesture in
part dispelled existing difference between the neighbors and paved way for
smoother diplomatic transactions.
The 46-member Nepali team part of the Prime Minister’s
Contingent toured India from 19th to 23rd February and
visited Delhi, Bhuj in Gujarat and Mumbai. During his visit Oli sealed nine
pacts with India signaling the end of misunderstandings. Oli had an extensive
bilateral dialogue with Prime Minister Modi with economic situation and
political engagement topping the agenda. Assuring the Indian government that
issues relating to discriminatory citizenship and constitutional delimitation
will be addressed in a time bound manner, he sought India’s support and
cooperation for long term sharing of mutual benefits. Modi in his address
lauded Nepal’s efforts on promulgation of new constitution and anticipated that
pending issues would be resolved through “consensus and dialogue”. Both leaders
expressed their commitment to secure their open borders and prevent the misuse
by terror elements and criminals.
India and Nepal signed an agreement on the utilization of
$250 million extended by India under its earthquake assistance package. Four
sectors- housing, health, education and cultural heritage were identified for
reconstruction. A MoU for revamping of the road infrastructure in Terai region
was signed. Sangeet Natak Academy of India and Nepal Academy of Music and Drama
signed a pact to enhance cultural ties. Both countries shared exchange letters
on road and rail transit routes resulting in simplification of modalities for
the movement of goods between Nepal and Bangladesh transiting through India.
Muzaffarpur-Dhalkebar power transmission line was inaugurated. Both countries
are in talks to set up an Eminent Persons Group to review bilateral
relationships and make recommendation for inclusion of institutional frameworks
to enhance bilateral ties. The group would include four members- a
parliamentarian, an economist, a lawyer and a civil society activist from each
country.
Oli was hosted by President Pranab Mukherjee and is the third
visiting dignitary to stay in the refurbished Rashtrapati Bhavan. Oli addressed
a business conclave in Delhi and invited them to invest in Nepal. In an attempt
to revive fledgling Nepalese economy by harnessing the hydroelectric potential,
Oli visited Tehri hydro project in Uttarakhand.
Oli and his contingent travelled to Bhuj to have first-hand account of
revival stories from the officials about the region which was reduced to a
rubble. Kutch region rose like a Phoenix after hit by a massive earthquake in
2001. Finally in Mumbai he met business honchos and assuring them of promising
opportunities Nepal and Bollywood personalities to showcase Nepal as a
destination for shooting films.
While Oli’s maiden visit to India was marked by lack of
path-breaking agreements, he displayed fresh enthusiasm to build bridges of
friendship and trust. Oli’s government which is under constant fear to being
overthrown is keen on forging ties with India to garner the support and
goodwill of Madhesis. Oli managed to significantly reduce the misunderstandings
and sculpted a new path for long term diplomatic engagement. Notwithstanding,
if the political dispensation fails to evolve an inclusive constitutional
accommodation, protests will soon resurface and stand-off with India might
continue.
@ Copyrights reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment