MODI'S ' NEIGHBOURS FIRST' FALLS FLAT IN KATHMANDU

[Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'neighbours first' has fallen flat in Kathmandu. If there is any truth in the news linked here 'the GOI (Government of India) is here absolutely to be blamed that it is behind Nepal's Madhesh unrest. Is this how a neighbour treats its neighbour ? From the Madhesh, Nepal has the President, Vice-President, Prime Ministers  or Chief Justices etc. and etc. already. India's recent talks and interest in 'Nepalese Janajati Issues' may all be treated as fake in that its leaders, while in Kathmandu, had lambasted 'Dharan Indigenous People’s  International Conference' only few years back and also Indian envoys have incessantly written that India should not sympathize with the Nepalese Indigenous Peoples -  the IPs. And shared here is an article from The Times of India also.– The Blogger]

NEPAL MESSED UP ITS CONSTITUTION, INDIA MESSED UP ITS HANDLING OF NEPAL

By Indrani Bagchi

Prime Minister Modi in Kathmandu last year.

For years Indians have been trying to get Nepal’s fractious and petulant leaders to clean up their act to write a constitution. Having done that, we find ourselves inexplicably in a constitutional mess there, and a severely dented relationship. In fact, all Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s investment in building a new relationship with Nepal has just washed down the Sun-Kosi River.

Nepal now has a constitution that will create an unequal society, and perpetuate the hold of the Brahmin-Chetri elite. Frankly, if the Nepalese population were all happy with it, India would have no card to play. But there have been violent protests for well over a month in the Madhesi, Tharu-dominated Terai region, with major human rights violations, in areas abutting the Indian border. With Bihar elections coming up, the border areas will be aflame for some time, adding to the uncertain security situation.

THEN WHO DID ?

Not the government of India? Then who did it ? Indo-Nepal relations getting 'funnier' everyday these days !

India though is in an avoidable diplomatic situation. First, there was no way the establishment did not know this was coming – we have the biggest political, popular and security presence in Nepal. Second, it’s laughable for us to claim “betrayal” by Nepal’s leaders. So Nepal’s leaders outmanoeuvred India to get themselves the constitution they wanted.

Now, India cannot openly bat for the Madhesis and other disaffected groups without alienating the hill people or Kathmandu. New Delhi cannot take heavy-handed measures against Kathmandu because that would be like sitting on a squashed cabbage leaf. But there will be consequences against Kathmandu, there is no doubt about that. More’s the pity.

Actually, though New Delhi is loath to admit it, Nepal fell off the radar. There is a security relationship with Kathmandu, but that should not be allowed to overtake the substantive political and diplomatic relationship. That’s exactly what has happened.

After the PM’s visits and massive mobilisation of government resources for Nepal’s earthquake, there was a sense in the government that they could go back to the episodic focus on Nepal. Nepali leaders too are not easy to deal with, which added to the ennui.

Leaders across the political spectrum in India have excellent relations with their Nepalese counterparts, who should have been activated to sensitise them about the perils of writing a non-inclusive statute. But PMO has made itself the last word, and there are just so many things they can focus on at any given time.

When foreign secretary S Jaishankar was called by the PM to carry that all-important message as his special envoy to Kathmandu, it was too late. Because MEA had not been in the driving seat until then. After that it was downhill all the way.

India’s immediate neighbours need special handling, that’s an accepted fact. But it’s always a better idea to use the softer tools, leaving the sledgehammer for extreme situations. That’s as true for Nepal as it is for Maldives, where India is now wielding the security axe. Thing is, once you’ve rolled out the guns, your arsenal is empty.

DISCLAIMER : Views expressed above are the author's own.

@ The Times of India