Strained relationship
Relations between India and Nepal have dipped severely since 2015 when Narendra Modi and Khadga Prasad Oli were both Prime Ministers.
The bilateral turbulence started with adoption of the new Constitution by Nepal’s Constituent Assembly in 2015, which New Delhi had wanted reworked.
Some politicians seem to have made promises to Mr. Modi in their New Delhi visits, but in the end they promulgated the draft unamended.
While perfunctorily pointing the finger at Madhesi activists of the Tarai plains, New Delhi slapped a devastating blockade on Nepal that lasted nearly six months and generated enough bad blood to last a generation.
Mr. Oli reacted sharply and on the rebound signed 10 agreements with Beijing, extending from trade, transit to power and transport.
The two Prime Ministers did meet after the blockade was lifted, but the effervescent Mr. Oli would not hold back from suggesting that the true historical Ayodhya was within present-day Nepal, or that India’s aggressive bent called for replacing the national motto ‘Satyameva Jayate’ with ‘Singhameva Jayate’.
Following an updated political map published by India in October 2019, Nepal’s Constitution was amended to add the Limpiyadhura-Kalapani triangle to its own map on the northwest.
Even as relations soured, New Delhi became more involved in Nepali governance and politics
Beyond politico-diplomatic pressures and above-ground activities of undercover personnel, New Delhi began fielding Hindutva advocates in the plains and hills.
The Rashtraiya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wanted to convert Nepal into their own image of India
The two Prime Ministers must use the opportunity of their elevation in Delhi and Kathmandu to clear the logjam.
With his ‘Neighbourhood First’ initiative battered on all quadrants, Mr. Modi may want to start with policy corrections on Nepal as the nearest and closest neighbour.
India’s relentless engagement with Nepal’s politics and governance goes against the principle of non-interference that is part of the Panchsheel doctrine.
New Delhi should also understand that a hands-off policy will, ipso facto, lead to a politically stable and economically energised Nepal, which will in turn benefit India’s own national security and the economy of its Hindi heartland
Amidst unrelenting political chaos, the ability of Kathmandu’s political class, civil society, the bureaucracy and even security forces to speak on equal terms with Indian counterparts stands severely eroded.
New Delhi must understand that while Nepal’s friendship with Beijing is non-negotiable, it will never be at the cost of India.
Nepal cannot afford for it to be otherwise.
Meanwhile, it is incongruous that New Delhi pressures Kathmandu on China-linked hydropower, airports and airlines even as China emerges as India’s largest trading partner
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