India's interests in Nepal have been to protect its own security, and that Nepal should have no doubt about its role there. This was observed during an interaction between a Nepali-media delegation and Indian scholars at ORF on 16 August.
India’s interests in Nepal have been to protect its own security, and that Nepal should have no doubt about its role there. This was observed during an interaction between a Nepali-media delegation and Indian scholars at ORF on 16 August. The two sides exchanged views on a wide range of issues including the current political situation in Nepal, India’s Nepal policy, regional politics and the role of media.
In his welcoming remarks, Mr. M. Rasgotra, President of ORF Centre for International Relations, said that India wants stability in Nepal and that the two countries should have the best of relations. He also said that ORF wants to promote good relations between the two neighbours.
On the current political situation in Nepal, it was pointed out that the country has been going through a difficult phase. The Nepali delegation noted that Nepal’s political problems have been primarily associated with the problems of a nascent democracy – a problem of democratization experienced in various countries in the post-Cold War period. The Nepali delegation expressed their hope that the Constituent Assembly would be able to bring out a constitution for which purpose it was created.
It was also pointed out that Nepal has been suffering from an identity question. Since the abolition of the institution of monarchy, which has served as the symbol of the country’s unity and integrity, Nepal has not been able to replace it with a new identity for itself. The parliament which should have become the new identity has not fully been achieved. It was noted that this was one of the reasons aggravating the present political troubles in the country. It was, however, noted that the monarchy may not be brought back in any form in the changed political environment.
The Nepali delegation pointed out that, at times, India’s role has been seen as ‘interference’ in its domestic politics and such speculations have aggravated the problems in Nepal. The Indian side made it clear that India is a friend and has no ill-intentions towards Nepal and that India only wants Nepal’s goodwill and understanding of its concerns. It was noted that lack of mutual understanding has been one of the main problems between the two countries.
On the Indo-Nepali treaty of 1950, it was pointed out that India has agreed to review the treaty if that was what the Nepalese want and that the proposal of a new treaty has been sought by New Delhi, which has never been tabled. It was noted that issues such as open border and the special treatment provided in the treaty would be affected in the event of reviewing it and the Nepalese need to consider these issues. It was pointed out that cooperation in the field of hydro-power is one such area which both countries need to tap for mutual benefits.
It was pointed out that India wants Nepal to have good relations with both its giant neighbours – India and China. However, the relations between India and China continue to remain problematic in the context of their border disputes and hence India wants Nepal to understand its security concerns given their geographical proximity and open borders. The Indian participants impressed upon the Nepali delegation that as a good and close friend, Nepal should take care of India’s concerns. It was also noted that the media could play a constructive role in building good relations between the two countries.
The interaction concluded on the note that the interests of India and Nepal are not in conflict and that both countries share mutual border security concerns. The discussion also stressed the need for larger dissemination of each others concerns and interests in both countries and all the participants agreed that they have a role to carry the message to the general public.
The Nepali media delegation was led by Mr. Rajendra Dev Acharya who is a News Director of the state owned Nepal Television. Indian participants included Amb. Kanwal Sibal, Amb. N N Jha, Mr. S. Chari and ORF research faculty.
(The report is prepared by Dr Anjali Sharma, Associate Fellow, ORF)
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