RISHI DHAMALA, Jan 26: The bilateral relation between Nepal and India is on the right path now. The two closest neighbors have worked through the past tensions and misunderstanding, and given a new dimension to the diplomatic ties at political, bureaucratic and military level—which can be received as a positive development for both countries who also share similar religious and socio-cultural values. The efforts to boost and strengthen the bilateral relation have been ever welcomed.

Nepal and India also share a deep contact at people-to-people level and are bound by mutual respect for each other. Ambassador of India to Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri on Friday said that the people-to-people link between the two countries is the core of the India-Nepal bilateral ties and underlined the need to enhance mutual cooperation and economic prosperity to give it a further boost. Puri said that the “India-Nepal relation is a part of our daily lives.”

The India-Nepal relation reached a new height in the year 2018. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Nepal twice in August and May last year. During his stay, he visited Muktinath, Pashupatinath and Janakpurdham. He received civic reception in Janakpur and Kathmandu.

It can be said that Modi is the first Indian prime minister to have regarded Nepal as the first priority. Modi, during his visit to Nepal in May, reiterated that Nepal always comes first in India’s neighborhood policy and pledged India’s support to Nepal as it pursues its development agenda. Modi had also said that Nepal visit was productive and had added a new vigor to Nepal-India ties. The Indian prime minister held one-to-one talks with Prime Minister Oli—the Indian PM’s visit is considered as a milestone step to deepen the diplomatic ties clearing existing tensions between the two neighbors.

Clearly, a political change and development in a country has either direct or indirect impact on the other neighbor. It is why perhaps Modi is showing interest in Nepal’s affairs at the time India’s General Election is closing. It is beneficial for India as well to keep Nepal first in its neighborhood policy due to the strong people-to-people contact.

On the other hand, Nepal can harbor a huge benefit utilizing the opportunity that India has a prime minister like Modi who has a great love for Nepal.

Indian PM Modi and Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli jointly inaugurated the Integrated Check Post in Birgunj in April. ICPs at three more points on the India-Nepal border viz. Biratnagar, Bhairahawa and Nepalgunj are being constructed. The ground breaking ceremony of Motihari-Amlekhgunj cross-border petroleum products pipeline at Motihari was also witnessed by both prime ministers.

Likewise, the government of Nepal and India agreed to develop a new connectivity between the two countries through Inland Waterways and expanding rail linkages connecting Raxaul to Kathmandu in April.

In May, the two heads of the state jointly laid the foundation stone of 900 MW Arun III Hydro Electric Power Project. They also flagged off Janakpur-Ayodhya bus service in Janakpur.

Moreover, Nepal also witnessed an end to load shedding due to support from India.

The India-Nepal ties experienced some tensions September last year after Nepal Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) level military exercise, just a day before the Army squad was set to travel to Pune. But after diplomatic efforts from both sides, the misunderstanding was duly cleared. Despite some minor hiccups seen from time to time, the bilateral ties between Nepal and India are ever positive.

Both the countries should learn from past actions work in mutual cooperation to attaining economic development and prosperity. India is the fastest growing economy in the world. Nepal should learn to utilize this to its advantage. Oli should create investment friendly environment to attract more Indian investments in the country.

RISHI DHAMALA, Aug 16: The independence movements against colonialism during the mid-twentieth century challenged the very basis of European colonialism in Asian and African countries. In India, this movement resulted in a new wave of nationalism. Fueled by Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent revolution, the movement ultimately secured India’s independence from the British Raj in August 1947.

The Indian independence movement was a powerful message to people around the globe. Leaders from India and Nepal jointly worked in the Indian non-cooperation movement which eventually laid a solid foundation for the development of a positive and cordial Indo-Nepal diplomatic bond. The active participation of Nepali leaders like BP Koirala, Pushpa Lal Shrestha, Ganeshman Singh, Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, Girija Prasad Koirala and Manmohan Adhikari in the Indian independence struggle also encouraged them to launch independence campaign here at home and liberate the people from the tyranny of the ruling Rana dynasty.

Jawaharlal Nehru, Jay Prakash Narayan and Rammanohar Lohiya made significant contribution to Nepal’s political revolution of 1951. The revolution culminated with the end of 103-year-long Rana dynasty and the establishment of a democratic government for the very first time. Similarly, support from Indian leaders and the people during the 1990 political movement in Nepal brought an end to the absolute Panchayat rule in Nepal.

India also played an important role in bringing Maoist rebels to talks and in the 2006 signing of the Comprehensive Peace Accord that became the basis for reestablishing democracy in the country by ending constitutional monarchy and the decade-long insurgency. India continues to be one of most important bilateral partners of Nepal.

In the aftermath of the devastating April 2015 earthquake that claimed 8,900 lives and left 2,200 injured, the Indian government responded immediately through ‘Operation Maitri’, a rescue and relief operation in Nepal. It pledged more than Rs 10 billion for reconstruction efforts.

ANCIENT TIES 

Our relationship goes back to ancient times and over time the relationship has become multi-dimensional. Changes in either territory directly or indirectly influence the other. Both countries have close linguistic, marital, religious and cultural ties at people-to-people level. The northern Himalayan range of Nepal is famous as the ‘water tower’ of South Asia. Rivers originating in Nepal run through India and irrigate most of its agricultural land.

These rivers have made significant contribution to both nations’ development.
Despite geographical and political links and people-to-people connectivity, it is rather unfortunate that the two countries have not been able to reap the immense potential in economic development. In the past few years, political issues and border disputes have strained relations between the two countries, which at various levels have proved costly and cannot be overlooked.

The 1950 Indo-Nepal Peace and Friendship accord cemented a “special relationship” between the two countries, which also granted Nepalis the same economic and educational opportunities as Indian citizens in India.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Nepal in 2014, shared that India always considers Nepal a special neighbor and has high goodwill for Nepal. Likewise, Nepal has also treated India in the same way. Ever since Modi became prime minister of India, exchanges of high level visits have become more frequent and bilateral mechanisms have been activated.

Prime Minister Modi was the first prime minister of India to visit Nepal in 17 years. His historic visit, which was focused on 4Cs—cooperation, connectivity, culture and constitution—greatly enhanced bilateral ties between two countries.

PM Modi has already visited Nepal twice and is planning another courtesy visit in the near future. His third tour of Nepal is expected to lay foundation of Arun III hydropower project. Officials at Indian Embassy in Nepal often report that Modi regularly collects information about the progress of various Indian-backed development projects and initiatives in Nepal.

Indian envoy to Nepal, Manjeev Singh Puri, shared that Modi accords Nepal’s prosperity, political stability and development top priority in India’s foreign policy. Modi, he shares, has shown keen interest on Postal Highway and railway track construction.

Among others, the Indian prime minister has given direct orders to finalize the DPR of the Pancheshwor Multipurpose Project. Investment in Arun II hydro project materialized during his term. Given his willingness and abilities that we have observed so far, it seems that Modi can usher in an era of mutual development and common path to prosperity.

VOTE-BANK POLITICS 

But there is also some anti-Indian sentiment in Nepal, as has been reflected in actions and words of some Nepali political leaders in past few years. While there are some outstanding issues that leaders of both nations need to resolve through diplomacy, they should not fuel ultra-nationalistic views and anti-Indian sentiments to secure their vote bank. Modi government’s interest in Nepal’s affairs and development should be seen in positive light and internal discussion among political parties should focus on utilizing this positive relationship for mutual benefit.

Prime Minister Sher Bhadur Deuba is scheduled to visit India from August 23 on his first official trip overseas at the invitation of Indian PM Modi. His five-day state-visit to India will be significant and will focus on implementing past accords that were signed during his three previous visits to India (1996, 2002 and 2004) as prime minister. PM Deuba will also dwell on the status of the India-funded projects and cross-border connectivity projects and will discuss issues, if any, that have impeded the implementation of projects.

The two countries reached an agreement to sign the Mahakali Treaty when Deuba was the prime minister 22 years ago. Even though Deuba was in a minority, he was able to garner two-thirds parliamentary majority in support of the treaty.

The Pancheshwor Multipurpose Project finally started moving forwarded after Indian Prime Minster Modi visited Nepal, the DPR is yet to be finalized. This will be among the top agendas of PM Deuba’s Delhi visit later this month.

During her recent trip to Nepal, Indian Foreign Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj spoke of how Deuba-Pushpa Kamal Dahal coalition had further strengthened diplomatic ties between two countries. According to experts, Nepali Congress-CPN (Maoist Center) coalition has been rather successful both on domestic and foreign fronts. Deuba’s visit to India can be thus expected to start a new chapter in Indo-Nepal bilateral ties.

Both Deuba and Modi are charismatic characters and both of them share the willingness to make things happen. If Deuba-Modi chemistry works out in their upcoming meeting, it will definitely pave the way for the two countries to grow and proper together.

(This article was previously published in Republica Daily)