- Prelims: Current events of international importance(India-Nepal ties, India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship, Seti River (SR6) projects etc
- Mains GS Paper II: Bilateral, regional and global grouping involving India, Significance of Indo-Pacific for India etc
ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS
- Nepal protesters are demanding the restoration of a constitutional monarchy and a Hindu state.
- The Hindu-majority nation became a secular republic with a federal system in 2008, after parliament abolished the monarchy.
INSIGHTS ON THE ISSUE
Context
India-Nepal ties:
- Nepal occupies a special significance in India’s foreign policy because of the geographic, historical, cultural and economic linkages/ties that span centuries.
- India and Nepal share similar ties in terms of Hinduism and Buddhism with Buddha’s birthplace Lumbini located in present day Nepal.
- The two countries have close bonds through marriages and familial ties, popularly known as Roti-Beti ka Rishta.
- The India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950 forms the bedrock of the special relations that exist between India and Nepal.
India Nepal Border dispute:
What is the Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950?
- The treaty talks about the reciprocal treatment of Indian and Nepali citizens in the two countries, in residence, property, business and movement.
- It establishes national treatment for both Indian and Nepalese businesses (i.e., once imported, foreign goods would be treated no differently than domestic goods).
- Weaponry access: It also gives Nepal access to weaponry from India.
China’s Role:
- The Chinese were the first to officially welcome the renewed alliance between the two major left parties.
- Nepal’s Foreign Minister departed from convention by making his first official foreign visit to China, rather than India.
- Nepal agreed to revive cooperation on China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
- There have been high-level military visits where new understandings have reportedly been reached.
- China’s intentions:
- To expand its influence in Nepal at the cost of India’s.
- Both moists and far right forces have the reputation of being ultra-nationalistic, pro-China and anti-India.
- China is now proactively working against India in Nepal.
- It would probably be openly supportive of any cross-border instigation of terrorist activities in India
- which, for China, would come under the category of “good terrorism”.
- It suits Pakistan to do its bit too as it knows that it can rely on China for support when needed.
Issues India faced due to Instability:
- Political instability accompanied by frequent changes of government (a result of political opportunism):
- It facilitated the spread of a Maoist insurgency within Nepal
- which later established its headquarters in a jungle hideout in India.
- There was an escalation of the smuggling of drugs, arms and terrorist-related cross-border activities masterminded from Pakistan against India, from Nepalese soil.
- The latter culminated in the hijacking of flight IC 814 in December 1999.
India-Nepal Projects:
- Mahakali Treaty (6,480 MW)
- Upper Karnali Project (900 MW)
- Arun Three projects (900 MW)
- Seti River (SR6) project
Way Forward
- India has the Quad (Australia, India, Japan, the United States), Indo-Pacific and other groupings keeping a close watch on China’s moves to expand its influence through fair means and foul.
- However, it would be risky to assume that these would be of help if a Great Game 0 begins in a shaky Nepal.
- India (whether at the level of central, State or civil society) will have to give careful answers.
- In Nepal, opinions are often over-interpreted and confusion caused as a result of ‘mixed signals’ from India.
- India could consider offering a new and holistic development road map which would excite public imagination and attract cross-party political consensus.
- For example, there could be a transformative, sustainable development agenda aimed at improving the quality of life of its people.
- Innovative approaches in sectors such as health, education, food and nutrition, child development, gender and jobs, will ensure that the BRI and other Chinese pet projects are not a priority.
- High-level Indian attention could inject a sense of optimism, stimulate investment in key sectors, and promote cross-party consensus on major projects.
- This will ensure that there is continuity and time-bound results even in the midst of instability
- foster new inter-linkages between industries in both countries
- address the demographic dividend
- respond to the yearning in Nepal for a sense of equality and sovereign space
- build on the foundation of common civilisational assets which make the India-Nepal relationship so unique.
- India should not forget that for the big brother-small brother syndrome to be overcome, the onus lies on the big brother
- The style of diplomacy matters as much as the substance in relations between the two countries.
QUESTION FOR PRACTICE
Q. Project ‘Mausam’ is considered a unique foreign policy initiative of the Indian Government to improve relationships with its neighbors. Does the project have a strategic dimension? Discuss. (UPSC 2015) (200 WORDS, 10 MARKS)
