At a time when the country is paralyzed by its own leaders as a result of their insatiable hunger for power and all kinds of state facilities, it might be the right time to assess, discuss and deliberate Nepal’s foreign policy as shaped by Prithvi Narayan Shah. As isolationism is dead, what kind of foreign policy should Nepal adopt, project and advance in the context of changed international scenario is worth considering. After all, any crisis, however long and painful, has to end sooner or later. Why not shorten it?
That is where the political leaders, though highly criticized for their ignominious failure in different domains, have to once again embark on a constructive path. In the current context, that would be an immediate formation of a national consensual government or a non-party government tasked with conclusion of peace process and constitution. Failing this, the government can be headed by either the present chief justice or a retired one to clear the impasse, with the consent of main parties. As foreign affairs is an inseparable part of broad national policy, why not attend to them in time and begin the process of updating, upgrading and defining it with innovative thinking so vital for Nepal’s existence as a dignified independent state?
The 21st century is going to be a crucial one in the long march to meeting the high expectations of mankind in building a new world order. The concept of Basudhaiva Kutumbakam (‘The world is one single family’) though at one time looked utopian, has now started taking some kind of concrete shape, though it might take a long time for its realization as globalization process is bringing each and every country closer and closer and making them more and more interdependent.
Though not yet free and secure from terrorism, fundamentalism and nuclear proliferation, the emerging world is going to be more balanced, peaceful, harmonious and colorful one with each and every country’s culture and identity safe and sound. In this respect it has already started showing positive signs as there is growing realization on the part of the developed and developing countries to work, cooperate and advance the process for the benefit of mankind. In fact, the world so sharply divided and monopolized at one time is moving from bipolar to unipolar and now multipolar one, will also create favorable conditions for a new world order backed by science and information technology.
The Asian region, rapidly moving forward to securing its rightful place in the international arena, is now accepted as an important player in the 21st century. China and India are the rising powers in Asia. In fact the kind of growth that they have achieved so far has not only astounded the world but also firmly established them as the ones to be reckoned with in the international arena. There is no doubt that they are going to play significant roles in shaping world affairs in coming years.
Strategically, Nepal is very important to India and China, both of which share border with it. With violence and insecurity spreading all over the country they are showing a lot of concern about their own securities. India is already taking steps like setting up more check points in its border areas to manage and control the threat of incursion. What they have failed to understand is Nepal’s abject poverty and its other ramifications will affect them in different ways. That is why they have to not only realize the gravity of the situation but also come forward and involve themselves in Nepal’s economic development without hurting its pride as an independent country.
Looking at the past, it was a miracle that a small country like Nepal with extremely limited resources could safeguard its independence by valiantly fighting against the superior British troops keen to include Nepal under its colonial umbrella, even though countries like India and others collapsed before it like a house of cards. But the present seems to indicate just the opposite trend: whereas India and other smaller countries in the region, since their liberation from the British rule, are once again asserting and consolidating their sovereignty, Nepal is being reduced to a state of helplessness, as it finds itself unable to tell countries near and far to stay away and not interfere in its internal affairs, let alone face and resist their mounting pressure. No one except our own leaders could be blamed for opening the door not only to foreign interference and dictation but also sending the country to the brink of a failed state, with growing lawlessness, mismanagement, corruption and insecurity hurting every segment of Nepali society.
It is painful to watch Nepal’s image sinking lower by the day in the international community due to our own leaders’ incompetence and irresponsibility. How could a stalwart revolutionary like Prime Minister Bhattarai publicly acquiesce that Nepal is being used and treated like a pawn by foreign countries without even mentioning their names? Added to it, the kind of comments foreigners are making on Nepal cannot be taken lightly and dismissed as unnecessary and out of place. There seems to be a well-designed plan not only to discredit persons like the democratic minded nationalist King Tribhuwan but also to conceal and bury Ballabh Bhai Patel’s sinful motive and effort to incorporate Nepal into the Indian state.
Is it necessary to teach an academician like SD Muni about the initiative and attempts of various Indian leaders at different times to bring Nepal under its security umbrella and control? When there is a need for greater understanding and cooperation among and between Nepal’s neighbors, SD Muni is trying to single out China as being the only supporter of the then regime during the time of Jana Andolan II. He does not need to be enlightened about China’s policy in Nepal. China always respected Nepal’s independence and stood by it without interfering in its internal affairs. If China had supported Nepal at that time it would have been impossible to reach the present stage. It is China’s declared and practiced policy to accept and cooperate with any regime, whether monarchical or federal republican.
Nepal should seek and pursue a foreign policy that will not only keep it far from any involvement in any conflict—not only between its neighbors and among other countries in the region, say between India and Pakistan about Kashmir—but also try to create an atmosphere for an amicable settlement of such a conflict without any mediation of a third country or party. Nepal should not take sides in such conflicts which is sure to render the whole region into ashes. Actually Nepal had been playing a very constructive role as a member of the Non-Aligned Group with genuine commitment to five principles of peaceful coexistence. In this respect King Mahendra’s role was not only important but also constructive. His clear message to various countries that Nepal would never involve itself in bilateral conflicts or wars by pitting one against the other (India vs China or India vs Pakistan) was honored at the time.
This is the first of a two-part article, the second of which will be published tomorrow.
The author is former prime minister of Nepal
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