Experts Say Nepal Needs to Present a Position Document on Economic Blockade

Thailand / November 29: Nepal should prepare its official position document on the current Indian blockade for the quick response from the international communities which Nepal has not done yet though the crisis prolonged for more than two months now concluded the speakers in the talk program on “The Aftermath of the Promulgation of Nepal’s New Constitution: An International Perspective”. The talk program was organized by Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Thailand held on November 27 at BellAire Bangkok.

Speaking to the talk program Key speaker Surya Subedi, Professor of International Law at University of Leeds, emphasized that India’s interference to Nepal’s internal affairs with financial blockade is against the international rule of law and it is no way acceptable by any Nepali and International communities. In this critical situation the Government of Nepal has to come up with official position without any delay however it hasn’t been able to do so. Unless Nepal shares its well defined problem to international communities can not assist resolve it that is why the crisis is prolonging concluded Prof Subedi.

Key speaker Hennig Glasier, Adjunct Professor of comparative constitutional law at Thamasat University said Nepal’s constitution is a compromise of different political ideologies from conservative to ultra leftists so all can feel their share in it but non of the groups can find their all demands addressed in the new constitution. Professor Glasier also termed the new constitution of Nepal as inclusive, flexible and proportionally representative document that is better than many successful constitutions in the world providing enduring structure for politics.

Addressing the talk program Nepal’s Ambassador to Thailand said Nepal is trying its best to settle the problem at official level where many dialogues between Government of Nepal and Government of India have been held. Government of Nepal has sit with the disgruntled groups for the dialogues many times, he adds. At the same time what India is trying to misinform the world by saying there is no blockade by India that is not trueclaimed the Ambassador.

Speaking at the talk program , NRNA Thailand President Khagendra Dhakal asked why the adoption of a new constitution following the democratic process is giving headache to India. He said people of Nepal can understand the disappointments and demands by Madhesis/Tharus which can be solved by constructive dialogues with the government of Nepal, but the blockade imposed by India is not making any sense in any contexts. The question lies why Dhakal raised to all participants.

Dhakal also asked Nepal government– who would be responsible for the future of 1.5 million children who are deprived of education due to this blockade? Government either should solve the problems diplomatically or go to the international forums without any delay and at the same time, it should arrange the essential supplies to countrymen whether by air cargo or via China borders. They should let people feel they have government who takes care of them by any cost and by any means Dhakal demanded. Dhakal informed that NRNA is helping Nepal government with life savior medical and surgical supplies and campaigning for positive solutions of the ongoing crisis. In the same line the talk program was organized inviting the experts on the subject Dhakal added.

After the talk there was a plenary session held that consisted Prof Subedi, Prof Glaser , NRNA Thailand President Dhakal who shared their opinions and answered the questions from the participants. The plenary session was moderated by the Former President of NRNA Thailand Ramesh Hamal. In the question answer session, people raised the questions about the humanitarian crisis resulted by the blockade , demands of disappointed groups in Nepal, legal prospect of getting essential supplies from China . Some expressed dissatisfaction to the Nepal Government’s efficiency to bring the matter to international communities properly and others raised concerns of relevant legal instruments and future direction for Nepal to resolve the crisis.

The talk program was well attended by senior Thai government officials, various embassies’ representatives, professionals from UN agencies, professors from different universities, different relevant organizations representatives and media persons.

People from more than 11 countries attended the event with keen interest and shared their perspectives to the situation in the aftermath of the promulgation of Nepal’s new constitution. In the end NRNA Thailand Vice president Aassajita Awale thanked the speakers and participants . The very interactive program was conducted by NRNA Thaialnd Spokesperson Jaswani Rana. A dinner program had followed and participants were engaged in sharing on the matter at individual level. Some participants suggested Nepal to go back to the earlier fiver developmental zones with ultimate decentralised power structure instead of wasting time to never ending dispute on the demarcation of state provinces on the current federal structure.