Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala embarks on a visit to India today. His tour, which will also take him to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, two important Indian states bordering Nepal, comes at the official invitation of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. [break]
It is part of India’s “engagement with all stakeholders in Nepal… to understand from them if there is anything that we in India could do to assist,” in the words of the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs in India.
India has stated that “it would be ready to help Nepal at a pace and in the way, the Nepalese Government would want.” Earlier visits included those by three former Prime Ministers belonging to three major parties in Nepal.
These visits provide an opportunity to establish rapport at the top level, and contribute to better communication, understanding and trust building. The political contacts come at a time when India’s Nepal policy is said to be largely influenced by its intelligence agencies. Considering its close association with all democratic changes in Nepal (from 1950 to 2006), the reestablishment of contact between India and top Nepali political leaders is a welcome development.
In 2006, the Maoists ended their decade-long armed struggle and joined peaceful democratic politics. They still believe Nepal’s history begins with their so-called ‘people’s war’, which sadly caused the deaths of over 17,000 innocent people and led to devastating economic and social consequences.
Never mind that the policy of recrimination caused serious harm to the nation and people, and set a dangerous precedent. It must be born in mind that Maoist rebels were brought into peaceful politics at the initiation of democratic leaders. The peace process that started in 2006 was making rapid progress as long as it was being steered by democrats, but got stuck after pluralistic forces were weakened.
Democracy is a prerequisite to addressing the challenges Nepal confronts today. Democracy alone can guarantee peace and stability since it empowers people at the grassroots and provides a foundation for broad-based and sustainable development and framework for power devolution. Peace is best strengthened by democracy and development, as democracy is the best way to reconcile differences and forge national unity. Democratization and establishment of inclusive national institutions are life and death issues for Nepal.
India’s role in democratization of world polity has been significant, and decisive. Mahatma Gandhiji’s path of non-violence for India’s independence has inspired people in Nepal and the world over. India’s democratic institutions have stood the test of time and served the people and the country well. Indian democracy rooted in the rule of law and free, fair and timely elections stands as a shining example for the rest of the world.
India also maintains a good record of promoting democracy around the world. India participates in the Community of Democracies, which brings together countries committed to promoting and strengthening democracies worldwide. It supports the UN Democracy Fund that helps project and strengthen the voice of civil society, promotes human rights and encourages participation of all groups in democratic processes. India has substantially contributed to the Fund and considers it an instrument to build the institutional and human capabilities, and empower the voiceless.
India uses both political and developmental approach to promote democracy in Nepal. India tied its foreign and military aid to political development after the then King Gyanendra usurped absolute powers. Aid tripled after Gyanendra’s fall in 2006. The then Foreign Secretary of India had said, “India is ready to support all efforts aimed at promoting peace, democracy and development in Nepal, where its people are able to choose the manner in which they wish their country to be governed and developed without fear of intimidation and coercion.” (The Hindu, Dec. 2, 2006).
Absence of democratic institutions has stagnated national life in Nepal at this moment. The Maoists’ ever changing goal posts have made commitments to democratic pluralism, human rights and rule of law laid down in over 60 political agreements elusive as ever. The country is being held hostage to political ideologies that are based on narrow loyalties, personal ambitions, distortion of religious beliefs and ethnic politics. These elements are against universal democratic norms and values, progress and prosperity and pose big threats to long preserved fabric of multiethnic, multicultural and multilingual Nepali society. The Economist (June 22) describes political stability in Nepal as a distant dream and calls Nepal an ‘ad hoc country’.
Over the years, enough has been heard of so-called revolutionary leaders and their ‘progressive’ and ‘inclusive’ agenda. Enough has been said and written about the current political deadlock, about the failure of the Constituent Assembly to deliver a constitution, about the deepening political crisis, its challenges, dimensions and causes. Enough words have littered the media about its impact on the nation and beyond. Enough is enough of frequently changing and confusing messages on issues of national importance. It is time to honor the pledges made to the people.
Even with mountains of challenges, this is a time of unprecedented opportunities for Nepal. We must create circumstances that allow the people and the country to reap benefits from opportunities that emerge from both the South and the North. The key to unlocking the door to prosperity is democracy and putting people at the center of governance. It was democratic governance that produced seven percent economic growth in the country in the 1990s. These days, lack of economic activities is driving 1,700 Nepali youth to foreign countries in search of work opportunities, every single day. Democracy has the capacity to keep the house in order, reap demographic dividend, and make the country capable of capitalizing on the economic dynamism in the neighborhood.
Democracy is the best safeguard against hostile foreign elements. It is democracy that helps maintain consistency in the conduct of foreign policy and brings diplomatic credibility. As such, the national interests of both Nepal and India are best served in an atmosphere of democratization, and stability. Turmoil in Nepal will have destabilizing impact across the region. At this crucial hour of protracted transition that has eroded political commitments and capacity to fight challenges, Nepali people are looking for genuine support for democracy and its institutionalization.
Democracy is a common thread that weaves together hundreds of flowers into a beautiful garland and helps safeguard the interests of the nation and its neighbors. Visionary leader BP Koirala said: “If Nepal has to exist as a nation or develop as a nation, it must develop democratic institutions.”
Thus getting the backing of India for democratic forces in Nepal must be Koirala’s central agenda during his talks with Indian leaders.
The author is a former ambassador of Nepal to the United Nations
dineshbhattarai1@gmail.com
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