Narendra Modi’s India -
Nepal Relations
Corporate Bogus or Real Transformations ?
On the 2nd day of August 2014, Kathmandu - the capital city of Himalayan
country Nepal - experienced bizarre activities like beautification of streets,
painting various buildings, removing ugly looking stuffs from roadside
locations. School kids were tamed in their home for 3rd and 4th of August.
People found it unprecedented. Government’s actions of beautifying Kathmandu was not seen never before, and they were well acquainted with pollution round the year - dumped and unattended. Government was further accused of not paying sufficient attention towards
citizens of Sindhupalchok who were devastated by disastrous landslide.
Above mentioned bizzare activities in Nepal were dedicated to welcome powerful Prime Minister of India –
Narendra Damodar Das Modi. Modi seemed interested in redefining India’s
relationship with neighboring countries thus visited Nepal with due priority.
It was his third ever foreign visit after Bhutan and Brazil since he assumes
his office in May. India’s south block (the desk from where Nepal's relations is handled) placed Nepal in high importance in
their foreign policy for all the time but Prime Minister's visit to Nepal to elevate ties was absent for the last 17 years. The Ministerial level Nepal – India
Joint Commission’s meeting could not happen for the last 23 years. Both became
reality in the first week of August 2014 - immediate after Modi took his office.
People found it unprecedented. Government’s actions of beautifying Kathmandu was not seen never before, and they were well acquainted with pollution round the year - dumped and unattended. Government was further accused of not paying sufficient attention towards citizens of Sindhupalchok who were devastated by disastrous landslide.
Above mentioned bizzare activities in Nepal were dedicated to welcome powerful Prime Minister of India – Narendra Damodar Das Modi. Modi seemed interested in redefining India’s relationship with neighboring countries thus visited Nepal with due priority. It was his third ever foreign visit after Bhutan and Brazil since he assumes his office in May. India’s south block (the desk from where Nepal's relations is handled) placed Nepal in high importance in their foreign policy for all the time but Prime Minister's visit to Nepal to elevate ties was absent for the last 17 years. The Ministerial level Nepal – India Joint Commission’s meeting could not happen for the last 23 years. Both became reality in the first week of August 2014 - immediate after Modi took his office.
India is heading to be the global power in coming decades. Indian people voted a single party i.e. Bharatiya Janata
Party (BJP) with absolute majority in Lok Sabha to form powerful government
ending decades long coalition obligation. After the election in 2014, the
strength of National Congress along with other many regional and small parties
were downsized dramatically.
In Nepal as well, the past decades have gone through unimaginable transformations in political, social, and cultural arena. The country is in
the process of writing new constitution by the people’s representatives
(Constituent Assembly) for the first ever time in her political history. The
process is gaining momentum in the second trial after the first chance
dismissed due to political conflicts and lack of consensus. Political power is being shifted to historically marginalized and
deprived people.
These historical changes in both countries have lifted
new aspirations, hope for development and prosperous – dignified life.
These historical changes in both countries have lifted new aspirations, hope for development and prosperous – dignified life.
Thus, the visit of Indian Prime Minister was juxtaposed both with much anticipation and some intimidation in Nepal. The relationship
between Nepal and India has been continuing with eccentric feelings and
suspicion. In contrast to normal people to people relations; cultural ties; close family relations; shared religious beliefs, the political
level relation has been in chaos. After Modi’s visit and magnetic
address in the Parliament, negative sentiments towards Indian establishment
hovering over in Nepali people’s mind has been erased at least for the time being.
Prachanda – former Prime Minister and epicenter for the current political
development in Nepal, President – Ram Baran Yadav and other top leaders of
different political parties and people together consider that Modi’s address
effectively lodged in their heart.
Nepali society is shaped by strange and unpredictable qualities and
characters of emotions. There are numerous examples that Nepali people
demonstrated their hatred and love to corresponding Indian behaviors. Nepali people felt that they are deprived by Indian tricks and tactics. Be it in
Koshi, Gandaki, Tanakpur, Mahakali treaties or in Susta, Kalapani issues or in
much debated 1950’s peace and friendship treaty and other similar matters.
Nepal believe strongly that the Indian conducts in border violation
issues, security personnel’s behavior in border areas, Indian
claim of Buddha’s birthplace ( though it appears in various informal way like
in movie, serials, literature etc.) within their territory, micromanage
of Nepal’s internal politics and naked interventions (mostly complained by
people since the politicians play double role, gainers through such Indian
actions perceive it as a friendly support and losers elucidate same action as
interference), monopolistic notion over immense water resources that Nepal
equipped with, big brother attitude are not fair and neighborly.
Prime Minister Modi in his address in the parliament, tried to
clarify his position and outlook towards his neighboring country Nepal. His
address tried to cover all key points Nepalese people were feeling painful
with. Nepal’s sovereignty, promise to support Nepal only on her own choice
rather directing the path to choose, Buddha’s birthplace as Lumbini, intention
to purchase Nepal’s water resources rather absorbing for free of cost and so on
were those emotional issues which touched the heart of Nepalese people. He
emphasized to hold common consensus on the much debated 1950’s peace and
friendship treaty to leaders and requested to stop politicizing it but to discuss
in a friendly manner. He further wished to bring Nepal closer by implementing
the projects such as the bridge in Mahakali and others promised earlier than by
pulling Nepal’s geography towards India.
Modi has styled himself as the CEO of entire India now. He was
equipped with a capacity and brilliant single man - brand to lead the BJP with
landslide victory in Lok Sabha election. He is much revered architect of
Gujarat model of development and figure for branding of various government
projects ongoing in Gujarat as well. During his election campaign in Bihar,
Modi tried to win sympathy and sentiment of Bihar voters by mentioning that
Buddha, Sita, Chandragupta, Karna etcetera were related with the land of Bihar.
Similarly, he tried to catch and win the sentiment of Nepalese people by
hitting hard in the emotional issues.
Does this mean that India and Modi personally transformed
drastically? During this visit also, India focused on to sign 98% finished
border map rather promising and supporting to complete 100% as Nepal
anticipated from the decades. India disagreed to sign PTA separating power
trade and power generation as Nepal requested. Modi said that a chilling and
sunny weather in one part may affect the other; any trouble in Nepal would
trouble India. This can be imagined with geographical proximity but cannot be
the guiding principle of our relations as two independent nations. “ Aap
Mere Hai , Hamara to Hai “ or “You are mine, truly ours” might mean perilous.
Why would not we keep our suspicion along with us for these dual meaning
remarks and invigilate cautiously.
After his charismatic presentation in Nepal, we can wish the
future relations of Nepal and India be as good as we people aspire. Oppositions
in Lok Sabha already showed their strong disagreement of Modi’s visit to
Pashupatinath mentioning that he deserted large Islam population by not wishing
Eid- Mubarak. This explains Modi might not be able to carry out various
domestic or international matters on his sole imaginations. The existing government
structure which used to enjoy the top level influence in Nepal such as meeting
President, ex / Prime Minister, Ministers in a blink, even directing them on
various political issues would not survive silently because the power, proud
and prestige can matter considerable for all. We must look in depth, why the
India – Nepal relations underwent in serious stalemate for the last century.
As
we observe in the history, single dedicated person can revolve the path to a
new phenomenon so we can hope that the same happen to us. We in this juncture
of transformation and transition ourselves must take each and every steps
forward carefully. We can wish Modi’s address and gesture was not a mere
corporate bogus to win the heart, mind, resources and everything possible from
Nepal to benefit South as in the history, but it was a grave transformational
approach for our mutual prosperity.
As we observe in the history, single dedicated person can revolve the path to a new phenomenon so we can hope that the same happen to us. We in this juncture of transformation and transition ourselves must take each and every steps forward carefully. We can wish Modi’s address and gesture was not a mere corporate bogus to win the heart, mind, resources and everything possible from Nepal to benefit South as in the history, but it was a grave transformational approach for our mutual prosperity.
10th August, 2014
A curious student on International Relations and Political Economy
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