Even the daylight murder of a media industrialist aroused wide coverage with clear implications of India being responsible for it. Not long ago, the Maoist supremo Pushpa Kamal Dahal had lashed out at India accusing it of plotting to end his life like that of what he called “patriots like King Birendra and UML leader Madan Bhandari.” India, like a mature country showed statesmanship and zero signs of being bothered by these vitriolic charges. The damage nonetheless was done to the supposed friendship Nepal and India claim to have for each other.
The trouble keeps on arising in the bilateral relationship between Nepal and India due to the assumption that we are friends—we are not. The illusion of friendship is something that Nepal and India seriously suffer from. Friendship is too demanding and is difficult to keep intact at the cost of national interests. Being friends does not solely mean coexisting with mutual benefits. It is more important to recognize the unalterable status as neighbors and act accordingly. If Nepal and India can remodel their relationship as good neighbors, the relationship would be much better than what it is now—stressful, distrustful and suspicious.
As neighbors, we are free and have a right to defend our national interests as sovereign countries. Any kind of agreement done under neighborly expediency can be publicly defended and justifiably sold out for public consumption. All debates should be based on realism and not on delusions as of now. Things achieved under the banner of illusionary friendship give birth to misgivings and misunderstanding and not what is expected among friends.
All bilateral projects on water resources are glaring examples of this phenomenon. As friends, we are supposed to share rather than forcefully squeeze out benefits. Therefore, when things happen on the contrary, we can observe great discontent especially in Nepal as it is the underdog given its smaller size.
If Nepal and India can remodel their relationship as good neighbors, the relationship would be much better than what it is now—stressful, distrustful and suspicious.
Till date, we have only focused on India’s presence in Nepal: What it had done, what it has been doing and what it can do in Nepal. That appears natural given the historical, political, economic and strategic position of the two countries. However, it is time to define Nepal’s role in this tardy balance of power: What has Nepal done, what can it do and what it should do so that India will deserve better attention from our side?
India’s influential role in Nepal is a well-known factor whereas Nepal’s position in the relationship is still a hazy feature. India’s presence in Nepal is visible but Nepal’s presence in the Indian scenario continues to be an undefined mystery.
The future of this relationship can be perceived through India’s vulnerability, especially due to terrorism – internal as well as external – irrespective of the impressive economic development India has been experiencing. Considering its overall security, India is playing a dangerous game by unnecessarily interfering in Nepal and that can lead to buildup of long-term animosity.
There is no doubt that India was successful in all its designs to get things accomplished in Nepal. The current political scenario in Nepal is also proof of India’s fulfilled wishes. The installation and strengthening of the present government, the previous army chief escaping his dismissal and forestalling the return of Maoists’ entry into government are undeniable examples of India’s overstretched hand in Nepal. India can be adamant on continuing to get everything done according to its wishes but the backlash could be unpredictable and hazardous.
Nepal appears to be heading toward inexorable instability and multifaceted conflicts, including violent ones. The country can easily be a breeding ground for “terrorism” imbued with nationalistic fervor. It is also highly possible that Nepal may be ruined by chaos and violence like Afghanistan and Pakistan—being a close neighbor India will surely not remain unaffected.
Who had thought Al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden, who were once supported and patronized by the CIA in the fight against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, would turn against US and strike a painful blow as it did on 9/11? Had the Indian leader Jawaharlal Nehru ever imagined that his birthplace, Kashmir, would become a breeding ground for “terrorism”? Isn’t Pakistan being shattered due to it becoming a strong base of “terrorism” with the overreaching effects affecting Indian security? Can India afford to remain aloof if Nepal becomes a similar case?
Nepal is going through a delicate transition while recuperating from the political trauma of getting out of a decade-long armed conflict, doing away with the monarchy and entering into the difficult process of constitution making. The central government has become weak and it will get weaker under the new federal setup. Matters concerning security are on fast decline with the security forces either sidelined or made redundant along with the menace of innumerable armed trigger-happy groups. These adventurers who indulge in criminal acts and are devoid of political agenda will be a nuisance not only to Nepal but also to India. For instance, Rajiv Gandhi lost his life not because of internal terrorism unlike his mother Indira Gandhi who was downed by her own bodyguards.
Nepal too may turn into yet another Kashmir or Sri Lanka, of course in a different manner, if Nepalis feel wronged in the long run. It is unfortunate that India continues to remain glued to its immediate problems and immediate gains emitting no sign of long-term statesmanship in this regard.
adityaman@hotmail.com
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