Nepal and India have close and unique relations as a result of geographical proximity and historical and cultural similarities. There is some 1800km-long open border between the two countries and Nepal is surrounded from three sides – east, west and south - by India. Though we also share our border with China and have good neighborly relations with the communist country, Nepal’s relation with India is a very special one. For the past 50-60 years, every big political change in Nepal has been in one way or the other influenced by India – be that of1950, 1980, 1990 or the People’s Movement II of 2006.
Now, for the consolidation of federal democratic republic system, which Nepal has just adopted, for institutionalization of the achievement of 2006 movement and for establishing lasting peace in the country, we need India’s strong support and cooperation. We are living in a dilemma in the sense that we need foreign help and support while at the same time want to minimize foreign influence and domination. UCPN (Maoist) has been launching rallies raising high-sounding nationalistic slogans in the border areas to oppose the “encroachment” of our land and to protest against inundation of our territory. By doing so, they are attempting to strike three targets with a single arrow: To engage their cadres, to prove that the Maoists are the only nationalist force and to bargain with the southern neighbor.
Though we also share our border with China and have good neighborly relations with the communist country, Nepal’s relation with India is a very special one.
The issues relating to Susta, Kalapani and Laxmanpur dam are not new things. The Maoists also ruled the country for nine months but why did they forget to raise these issues while in power? They began making a big hue and cry just ahead of Minister Krishna’s visit, which is surprising.
Foreign policy experts have pointed out that the issues relating to border dispute and other bilateral problems should be resolved through diplomatic channels and by holding political dialogues. Launching agitation on the streets will rather create new problems than solve it. What we need is track-two diplomacy. The two countries also have joint technical teams to look after the border issues.
A foreign policy expert has even admitted that Nepal does not have a consistent foreign policy with regard to India. But India has a set policy towards Nepal, which is evident from her consistent views and behavior. It is natural to have issues between two close neighbors, which are interacting all the time. But there are proper ways and channels to deal with these issues and problems. In diplomacy, you do not make a big noise; it normally means doing things quietly.
We should adopt a foreign policy on the basis of national consensus and national interests. Nepal signed the Mahakali Treaty with India more than a decade back with the support of two-third majority in the parliament. However, due to lack of political commitment and consistency, the treaty is yet to be implemented. Had the treaty been implemented in the stipulated time, we would not have suffered from such grueling power cuts now. We have also lost international credibility and trust due to our unstable and inconsistent policies.
We should not always blame others when something goes wrong with us. We have to make a self-evaluation before blaming others. When our house is divided and weak, there is bound to be foreign interference. We should refrain from using double definitions regarding foreign intervention and foreign influence. Consistency is the key in foreign relations.
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