UPSC EDITORIAL ANALYSIS : Stabilizing India-Nepal ties in changing times
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: The Hindu
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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)
Editorial Analysis – 14 May 2024