Changing Dynamics Of India - Nepal Relations

India - Nepal bilateral ties have undergone drastic changes. Today, the two nations are experiencing strains in diplomatic relations and mutual coexistence, over issues of sovereignty. Moreover, the resolution of the KP Sharma Oli government in Nepal has intensified, as they passed the constitutional amendment ratifying a change in its geopolitical equation with India, integrating Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura, territories controlled by India, into Nepal’s new map. The relationship shared between the adjacent countries is on the hinges of a precipice, sending away strong cautionary signals to India not to provoke Nepal further into the hands of a hostile, aggressive, and increasingly confident China.

Historical ties between the two nations

The paradigm shift in India - Nepal Strategic efforts started evolving when the Himalayan country transitioned from an absolute to a constitutional monarchy building a new modern democratic state. However, this change was underlined with a series of brutal civil wars caused by the country's Maoist forces for a couple of decades. Nepal's journey towards federalism followed the suspension of the monarchy and its subsequent abolition in 2008, with the declaration of Nepal as a secular country. But, none of these crucial issues was discussed at length in Parliament. The increased involvement of The European Union and their firm stance on secularism led to strong resentment from the majority population about this "imposed secularism." Other radical agendas got shunned when the civil-society-new-political axis and international stakeholders disregarded these as regressive forces. The EU and the US, proceeding as India's allies in Nepal's transition after 2005-06 and encouraging radical federalism based on higher autonomy, ethnicity, and the right to self-determination, worried China about India's combined presence with the US and EU in Nepal. This aggravated Chinese play in the internal politics and business investment in Nepal, targeting tourism, post-earthquake reconstruction, trade, and energy, with a motive that its interest in Nepal is no less than India's or its allies' put together. All these intricate actors have come into account in establishing Nepali national politics, and as such concern, India sharing similar ethical and sociological routes across the border. Even in India, the internal pressure of politics has been so immense that often important geopolitical, diplomatic, and strategic issues linked with long term Indian vision have been repeatedly jeopardized.

Nepal's new political map claims and disputes

The Nepalese government has been raising a national concern over the location of the river Kali since 1998, stating the land to the east of river Kali forms the country's western border. Nepal has dismissed the Kalapani issue from 1961 to 1997, but for domestic political reasons, it became a convenient India-Nepal issue in 1998. Accordingly, the Nepalese government challenged that the western border of the country is shifted 5.5 km westward to concur with the boundaries decided in the treaty of Sugauli. On the other hand, authorities in India claim revenue records dating back to the 1830s demonstrating that the Kalapani area has traditionally been administered as part of the Pithoragarh district of India. The disagreement between the parties regarding the origins and location of the Kali river has led them to cite separate colonial-era maps to prove their claim. However, this instance does not reflect the accurate picture of Indo-Nepal relations as both nations have had close economic and cultural ties for an extended part of history. Given the strong bonding between the South Asian neighbors, one wonders how things came to a boil. It is essential to highlight that the conflicted region is situated at a tri-junction, with the borders of India, Nepal, and China. Moreover, the recent demarcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories by the Indian government and the release of a new political map of India shows the disputed region as Indian territory has instigated widespread resentment. By releasing Nepal's new map in May 2020, they made an official attack against India's 'unilateral' act of constructing the new road to Lipulekh Pass.

Neighbourhood first Policy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has often advocated his flagship "neighborhood first" policy. But the relationship has taken a downturn after India interfered in the Constitution-drafting process in Nepal and then for an "unofficial blockade." It reinforced the belief that Nepali nationalism and anti-Indianism were two sides of the same coin, which was further politicized and propagated by the Oli government. Bureaucrats in India have questioned the intentions and rationale behind such a move. The China card has provided Nepal with leverage to practice their way of non-alignment. Historically, China has maintained close relations with the Palace, and its concerns were primarily related to keeping tabs on the Tibetan refugee community in Nepal. Presently, China is pursuing a more aggressive foreign policy and considers Nepal an essential element in its growing footprint in South Asia. From the beginning, India has adopted a "special relationship" based on shared culture, language, and religion with Nepal. However today, this link gives away a negative connotation — that of a paternalistic India, that is often insecure. It is no surprise that the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship which was sought by the Nepali government in 1949 to continue the special links it shared with British India and accommodated open border and right to work for Nepali nationals is seen as a sign of an unequal relationship, and an Indian imposition. Yet, Nepali authorities have studiously neglected flaring it up at bilateral, regional and geopolitical levels, even though Nepali leaders thunder against it in their national political narrative.

The primary need is to pause the rhetoric on territorial nationalism and lay the groundwork to explore the pathway of a reset for the India-Nepal "special relationship." As the world's largest democracy, India has enormous potential in transforming South and Southeast Asia, and this can start by strengthening long-term positive business and cultural ties with Nepal. If India decides to retrospect and takes a positive approach in developing healthier marketing, cultural, strategic, and diplomatic links with its neighbor, relations will improve. The south and southeast Asian region are amongst the most unfortunate and least connected areas of this planet but have tremendous scope to develop. India needs to instigate positive changes, that too with encouragement and enthusiasm. With a need to focus on the India-Nepal relationship as having a multifaceted impression on long term interests for global and regional geopolitical ambitions, which should be taken very seriously.

Bibliography-

https://www.cppr.in/articles/india-nepal-and-china-the-geopolitical-conundrum

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/for-a-reset-in-india-nepal-relations/article31697691.ece

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/nepal-parliament-starts-discussion-on-revised-map/articleshow/76288870.cms

https://www.diplomaticsquare.com/india-nepal-relations-long-term-multi-dimensional-impact/#:~:text=The%20dynamics%20of%20the%20relationship%20between%20India%20and,the%20surprise%20of%20New%20Delhi%20and%20Kathmandu%20alike.

https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/changing-nepal-and-changing-ties-with-india/

By-

Nandana Bhattacharjee (bhattacharjeenandana@gmail.com)