Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s
two-day visit to Nepal on May 11, 12, comes as a follow up to Nepalese Prime
Minister K.P. Sharma Oli’s trip to New Delhi reinforcing India’s strong
interest in stabilizing ties with the Himalayan neighbour. With China’s muscle
looming large over the subcontinent, Modi, the architect of neighbourhood
first policy, began building strong ties with immediate neighbours
since 2014. True to the spirit of the policy, Modi visited all the neighbouring
countries barring Maldives and as toast of friendship gifted South Asia
satellite hoisted by ISRO. Unlike his previous two visits to Nepal which ended
on a high note, Modi’s current visit comes at a time, when Indo-Nepal relations
having weathered turbulent times are still facing trust deficit. The trouble
began when Nepal new draft constitution accorded special privileges to ruling
hill tribes side-lining the interests of Madhesis of terai (plains) region.
This discriminatory stance caused spurt in protests leading to blockade of
Indian boundary stalling the movement of goods and supplies choking Nepal. The eight-month long blockade turned Nepalese
hostile towards India and the current regime of OIi stormed into power by riding
on this anti-India wave. Oli, who currently heads the opposition of the leftist
coalition party sworn in as Prime Minister on February 15th
honouring the tradition, made first visit to India. In his first stint as Prime
Minister the height of blockade, Oli accused India of the crisis and signed
several agreements with China. He also alleged that India plotted his ouster as
Prime Minister and played China card.
India and Nepal which share strong
cultural, religious and historical ties, have strong people to people connect.
Indeed, both countries have porous borders and India is largest sources of
remittances for Nepal and its biggest trade partner. Despite the strong
linkages, bilateral ties between the countries were roiled by misunderstandings
with Nepal alleging India’s interference in its domestic politics.
Geographically Nepal being the inner boundary is very important for India.
Sandwiched between Asian giants, Nepal afflicted by “small country syndrome”
has effectively played Indian card against China and vice-versa for a long
time. But now the current dispensation which is overtly pro-China is making
repeated references to “mutual respect” highlighting the erosion
of trust. Faced with the challenge of building a harmonious relation with
immediate neighbour, Modi has embarked on his third visit to Nepal with focus
on three Cs- Cooperation, Connectivity and Culture.
Resonating with the idea of
collective development and regional cooperation, India has increased
financial aid to Nepal by 73% this financial year to Rs 650
Crore next to Bhutan which receives highest financial assistance of Rs 1813
crore. While there is no official data, it is estimated that 2 million Nepali
work in India and to facilitate safe and cost-efficient transfer of
remittances, RBI has introduced India-Nepal Remittance
Facility Scheme. India has always displayed a strong interest in
sustaining robust relationship is now facing the challenge of countering the
check book diplomacy of China.
Modi’s recent visit which was
devoid of any big announcements is a spectacular effort to reclaim lost place
in Nepal. Dubbed as “cultural diplomacy”, by strategists, Modi’s
meticulously planned itinerary of two-day whirlwind program of visiting three
places of religious importance besides holding bilateral ties covered a vast
ground. On May 11th Modi
travelled to Janakpur, close to Bihar border and offered special prayers Janaki
Temple, the birth place of Devi Sita. Later Modi and Oli jointly flagged off a
bus service between Janakpuri to Ayodhya, birthplace of Bhagwan Sri Rama. These
two sacred places are immensely significant to Hindus. These places are now
going to be part of the ambitious Ramayana Circuit which will include 15 other
places across India spanning the states of Bihar (Sitamarhi, Buxar and
Darbhanga), Uttar Pradesh (Ayodhya, Nandigram, Shringverpur, Chitrakoot),
Jharkhand, Chattisgarh (Jagadalpur), Madhya Pradesh (Chitrakoot), Orissa
(Mahendragiri), Maharastra (Nashik, Nagpur), Telangana (Bhadrachalam),
Karnataka (Hampi) and Tamilnadu (Rameshwaram). NDA government which made no
secret of its intentions of promoting religious tourism began investing heavily
in building necessary infrastructure which includes the promise of building a
100 mt tall Bhagwan Rama’s statue by the side of river Saryu in Ayodhya.
Inauguration of bus service between India and Nepal both Hindu majoritarian
countries will boost tourism, people to people connect and will strengthen
trust. Thousands of Nepalese gathered outside the Janaki Temple to welcome Modi
where the provincial government has declared a holiday.
Speaking at the civic reception
organised by Janakpur provincial government attended by over 1 lakh Nepalese,
Modi highlighted on the deep traditional links between the countries. He
indicated that Nepal is of top priority in India’s Neighbourhood First policy.
He asserted that “India would stand with Nepal in its development journey”.
He said, “We are the base camp now.
India is ready to play the role of a Sherpa guide, taking the expeditioners
from the base camp right upto the peak of Mt. Everest”. Modi promised $100
million towards for province’s development which will be routed through
Kathmandu. Later Modi flew to Kathmandu where he was offered Guard of Honour at
the Army Parade Ground in Tundikhel. He met President Bidhya Devi Bhandari and
Vice-President Nanda Bahadhur Pun.
In his second summit meet with
Prime Minister Oli, Modi reiterated resolve to work together for strengthening
on-going cooperation in various initiatives like agriculture, railways, inland
water development projects and expand the partnership for socio-economic
development. Both sides assured that they “will take effective measures for
the implementation of all the agreements and understandings reached in the past”.
Leaders took stock of the economic ties and India assured Nepal to make
necessary amendments in the comprehensive review of bilateral treaty of trade
to address the issue of Nepal’s trade deficit. Taking cognizance of Nepal’s
request for additional air entry routes through India, New Delhi promised to
expand cooperation in civil aviation sector. Additionally, India agreed to
enhance economic and physical connectivity by air, water and land. Both prime
ministers jointly laid foundation stone of 900 MW Arun-III hydro electric project
in Nepal. For long, India made tall assurances to Nepal but failed in
time-bound deliverance. Allaying Nepali
angst over poor implementation of Indian projects Modi promised to expedite
priority projects of Nepal’s choice.
Modi visited the Pashupathi nath
Mandir, the oldest and sacred temple of Bhagwan Shiva. During President Pranab
Mukherjee’s visit to the temple in 2016, government of India aided the
establishment of Nepal-Bharat Maitri Pashupathinath Dharamsala Project. In a
message to Nepalese, Modi wrote, “Iam happy to get another good opportunity
to pray at Lord Pashupatinath Temple. This temple is a symbol of the combined
religious heritage of peopke of India and Nepal. I wish for peace, progress and
prosperity in lives of people of Nepal and India. Iam grateful to Pashupatinath
kosh and government of Nepal for making arrangements for my visit. I hope that
devotees will soon get new facilities from the new Dharmashala being developed
by India and Nepal on the temple premises”. in the visitor’s book.
Wrapping up Nepal’s visit Modi flew
to Mustang in the Northern Nepal becoming the first World leader to offer
prayers at Muktinath Temple scared for both Hindus and Buddhists. Wearing a red
dress symbolic of Buddhists performed puja to life-sized murthi of Bhagwan
Vishnu. The temple is highly revered by a larger community of Sri Vaishnavas of
Karnataka,. Modi’s visit to temple a day ahead of Karnataka elections resonate
well with domestic electorate.
The rapid developments in Nepal and
its newly calibrated foreign policy have a direct bearing on India’s national
interest due to open borders. Targeted attacks on Indian assets has become
cause of concern. Two bomb explosions-one near Indian Embassy field office at
Biratnagar and an explosion near Indian-built power project within a month has
triggered a panic reaction in New Delhi. The explosions in quick succession
together with Pakistan Prime Minister’s Shahid Kahan Abbasi’s visit to Nepal
days after Oli has sworn in as premier warranted India’s immediate attention.
Besides, creeping Chinese penetration into Nepal and its inclement urgency
towards building a railway connection from Shigatse to Kathmandu has promoted
India to deepen partnership with Nepal. Also, China has been constantly
invoking the common Buddhist linkages with Nepal and pledged to develop
Buddhist monuments.
Religion and culture have been the
strongest connecting links between India and Nepal. Hinduism which is a global
minority is the major religion in both countries. For long leaders of both
countries had been shy of wearing their religion on their sleeves. For the
first time, Modi forthrightly took the pride of being a Hindu and emerged as an
icon for the aspirations of Hindus who were facing similar threats in both
countries. While Modi, has been highly criticised by hardcore Hindu leaders for
failing his core support base in India, till now no Hindu leader unabashedly
displayed his religious identity. With his ingenious diplomacy which is getting
better by the day Modi is raising the bar for domestic politicians and his
successors as well. Modi engaged with
leaders of various political hues in Nepal to normalise relations. Aside his
formidable soft power diplomacy, Modi has promised to deepen cooperation,
partnership and offered support on various fronts. The message is loud and
clear: India is ready to make all amends to strengthen the relationship. The
ball is now in Nepal’s court….
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