DELHI MUST FOCUS ON INDIA’S RELATIONS WITH NEPAL

Yam Between Two Rocks

The founder of the modern Nepali state, Prithvi Narayan Shah, described Nepal as a “yam between two rocks”, he was pointing to the essence of Nepal’s geographic condition between the dominant power in the Gangetic plains on the one hand and Tibet and the Qing empire on the other.

• China has long been part of Kathmandu’s international relations.
• As the EIC gained ground, Nepal’s rulers made continuous offers to Beijing to act as China’s frontline against Calcutta.
• Kathmandu also sought to build a coalition of Indian princes to counter the Company.
• Even after it lost the first Anglo-Nepal war in 1816, Kathmandu kept up a continuous play between Calcutta and Beijing.
• As the scales tilted in the Company’s favour after the First Opium War (1839-42), Nepal’s rulers warmed up to Calcutta.
• When the 1857 Mutiny shook the Company, Kathmandu backed it and regained some of the territories it lost when the Raj replaced the Company.
• As the fortunes of the Raj rose, Kathmandu rulers enjoyed the benefits of being Calcutta’s protectorate.

Basics: 1950 Treaty of Peace And Friendship

This enables the Nepali and Indian nationals to move freely across border without passport or visa, live and work in either country and own property or do trade or business in either country.

There is a significant number of Nepalis (in millions) living, owning property and working or doing business in India as beneficial aspect of treaty for Nepal. Similarly, many Indians live, own property and do business in Nepal.

1950 Treaty of Peace And Friendship

The 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship gave the illusion of continuity in Nepal’s protectorate relationship with the Raj and its successor, independent India.

Once the Chinese Communist Party consolidated its power in Tibet and offered assurances to Nepal, Kathmandu’s balancing impulses were back in play.

Treaty of Sagauli

India and Nepal have so far been following the Treaty of Sagauli (1816) and their own 1960 agreement when it comes to the Kalapani border issue. According to the Treaty of Sagauli, the land east of Mahakali river is regarded as Nepal’s territory, and the land west of it as India’s territory. Both sides dispute the origin of the Kali river. Nepal claims the origin is in the higher reaches of this hilly territory, and thus, the regions of Kalapani and Lipulekh belong to them.

Background

Recent issue started after the inauguration of the “new road to Mansarovar” on May 8 in the midst of a global pandemic by India’s Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh. After that Nepal brought new map claiming the region of Kalapani and Lipulekh.

Why did India build this road through territory claimed by Nepal?

• India has been in effective possession of this territory for at least sixty years
• The region is of strategic importance, and the new road is now one of the quickest links between Delhi and the Tibetan plateau.
• In a 2015 statement, China also recognised India’s sovereignty by agreeing to expand trade through the Lipulekh pass.
• Finally, this is also an important route for thousands of pilgrims who trek across the border with China every year to visit the sacred Mount Kailash.
• Given recurrent military tensions with China, the future potential of trade, and the religious symbolism of the region, India will certainly continue to exercise civilian and military control.

Why has this border dispute become so politically charged in Nepal?

• The Indian road was not built overnight and the Nepal government was surely aware and monitoring the situation in Kalapani over the preceding months and years.
• The issue had come up in November last year, when India announced its new political map, after the revocation of Article 370
• Nepal Government was facing its worst internal crisis since coming to power, in 2017. May 8 announcement was a gift for the government.
• Government was swiftly able to mobilise public opinion, play up nationalist sentiments against India, get his internal party rivals on board, and divert attention from his failed ordinances and challenges to contain the pandemic.

Third party Involvement: India–Nepal Issue

India’s Chief of Army Staff, suggested that Nepal may be bringing up the issue “at the behest” of a third party, alluding to China. Even History of Nepal gave us clue about India-Nepal-China relationship.

Nepal Tactics

The stronger China has become, the wider have Kathmandu’s options with India become.

Increasing Nepal Ties with China

China has again surpassed India as top investor in Nepal in the first quarter of 2019-20 with a total pledge of $ 88 million FDI representing 93 per cent of total committed FDI of $95 million.

Nepal is also getting a second Chinese cement plant being set up with $ 140 million investment

India’s Nepal Relation

Nepal-India relations are deep, wide-ranging, and unique. Geography, History, And Economy make Nepal and India natural partners, sharing vital interest in each other’s freedom, integrity, dignity, security and progress. The two countries not only share an open border and unhindered movement of people, but they also have close bonds through marriages and familial ties, popularly known as Roti-Beti ka Rishta. People-to-people relations are unique strengths of bilateral relations.

PMs on India-Nepal

Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru told the Indian Parliament in 1950, “…we desire above all a strong and progressive, independent Nepal… our chief need, not only our need but also the world’s need is peace and stability in Nepal at present”. Prime Minister Modi in 2014 told Nepal’s Constituent Assembly, “How can India be happy if Nepal is unhappy?”

MEA Spokesperson

He further added “India has extended all possible technical, medical and humanitarian assistance to Nepal. We have supplied about 25 tonnes of medical aid to Nepal including paracetamol and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) medicines, test kits and other medical supplies,”

India should make it a priority to begin talks with Nepal and solve the border issues. It should negotiate a new set of mutually satisfactory arrangements.

There are many bold possibilities: maybe there could be joint deployment of military and police forces, as during the 1960s on the Nepal-China border.

Given the trade potential, both countries could also consider establishing a Special Economic Zone.

Finally, it is in the interest of both that Indian and Nepali pilgrims can use the improved infrastructure in the Kalapani region to reach Mount Kailash.

In the end…

Rather than object to Kathmandu’s China ties, Delhi must focus on how to advance India’s relations with Nepal. It should bet that the logic of Nepal’s economic geography, its pursuit of enlightened self-interest, and Kathmandu’s natural balancing politics, will continue to provide a strong framework for India’s future engagement with Nepal.

Similar exercise with Bhutan

India had conducted a similar exercise with Bhutan to replace the 1949 treaty during 2006-07 by a new set of mutually satisfactory arrangements.