It is with no doubt that India’s current approach to Nepal is no less than Bush’s war tactics against Iraq in the past. It seems India has replicated the usual United States format of excluding itself from any laws and believing that whatever it does is for the good of others. India’s blockade has violated several international laws and treaties yet it comfortably feels that it is excluded from being accountable although being one of the largest democratic countries in the world.
What US did ravaging a country in the name of promoting democracy and averting attack on itself? India has been doing the same to Nepal by refusing to read the newly formulated constitution, supporting divided and power-hungry Madesh leaders, and slyly blocking the borders using RSS, SSB, protestors, and maybe R & AW agents too. Few leaders in Delhi have retorted that India has no role in the blockade yet they are hiding behind the mask of Madesh rhetoric, border insecurity, and the issue of federalism and inclusiveness. However, opposition parties in India, particularly, Congress has termed the blockade as the doing of Modi-led party rather than that of India.
Regardless of the schism within Delhi, common Nepali people and children are suffering from the quandary. According to UNICEF, more than 2, 00,000 families and children are exposed to the harsh winter. Shortage of medicines, food, and petroleum supplies; increasing power cuts and explosion of transformers, and inflation reaching to ten percent, sums up the suffering that poor Nepalese are experiencing right now. Whereas, the two big neighboring countries are surging upward economically, Nepal is facing a humanitarian crisis and if not done anything the mess will engulf lot of innocent people.
The mess is no other than the unofficial blockade caused by Nepal’s benevolent southern neighbor. Although refuted by the BJP party in India, the recent ruckus at Raj Sabha gave a clearer picture about the position of politicians and MPs towards Nepal. Listening to some of the leaders, including Sushma Swaraj, compelled me to categorize two types of Indian attitude towards Nepal.
First, India has been micro-managing Nepal since its independence and doesn’t want to lose its sphere of influence and let the Himalayan nation become a hotbed for any form of anti-India aggression. Second, India seems to be in competition with China in terms of becoming a super-power, hence its foreign policy is being shaped by the China bogey. These two perceptions have additional views’ that India offers lot of aid to Nepal, which is true, and that Nepal and China has a close historical, linguistics, cultural, military (Gurkhas) and economic relationship. The second view is true too, including the statement that India and Nepal share marital ties. However, I want to point out that China has already bypassed India in terms of aid and investment. So it is pointless for India to keep emphasizing on how quick they are to comfort Nepal when it is in pain. I although do not deny the good doing of India, it should however stop using the aid factor and the presence of Gurkha soldiers in Indian army, for the purpose of fulfilling its own geopolitical aims. India should remember that there are hundreds of Gurkha soldiers in the Indian Army protecting their borders.
Additionally, few leaders in Delhi have voiced their opinion that hundreds of Nepalese work in India and even in few public sectors whereas Madeshi people aren’t allowed to be a part of the working culture in Nepal and are denied citizenship. This is false and even Indian brides who marry Nepalese are allowed to get citizenship. I want to point out the issue of citizenship. Even in developed countries, it is highly difficult for the first immigrant to reach to the high governmental position. So when I hear about the claims made by few Madesh leaders, it is not viable due to various security reasons. If I take up Indian citizenship (or allowed) will I be able to run for the position of prime minister? On the other hand, I do agree that the citizenship clause in the constitution is not perfect and should be rewritten assessing the national security and gender equality.
It is imperative to point at the inefficiency of Nepalese political leaders too who have resorted to loud-mouthed campaign and ultra-nationalist diplomacy. Both will fail. It is useless to keep asserting that the constitution is the best in the world when federalism clearly is posing a big problem to the sovereignty of Nepal. The tradition of Nepalese politicians running to Delhi at times of political troubles has to stop after this ruckus is over. And the Madesh leaders too should be wise enough to understand that pressuring the Nepal government for two autonomous Madesh regions via population representation and inclusiveness won’t do any good to them or for the country. Both the opposition parties need to be flexible and have to come to a point of conclusion where the sovereignty of Nepal will continue to exist despite the interference from India’s failed foreign policy. It is high time that the political leaders give the needed rights to Madesh and janjatis (indigenous people) and Madesh leaders and both parties step back from political violence. Whereas Madesh leaders need to be bit flexible, agree on the current terms, and continue to pressure the government for other claims non-violently and democratically. Nepali women too have been deprived of citizenship rights. It is not just them.
Additionally, India now is claiming that another civil war or state violence will break out and China will take-over on Nepal’s affairs. Both assumptions are either valid or just a self-fulfilling prophecy. Only time will say that, but making such bold claims on its neighboring country is fallacious to Indian leaders who mostly haven’t read the Nepal Constitution 2072, haven’t lifted their blockade, and have embraced electoral failed Madesh leaders.
India’s foreign policies towards its neighbors have failed and needs to come out from the China syndrome. Unless, the Delhi government doesn’t work on that, the future of South Asia and for India too could be a different story. On the other hand, China might turn out to be the ultimate winner and the superpower in Asia and the rest of the world. Whereas, India is yet to be a regional power.
Budhathoki is a graduate of International Relations.
