Expectations from exchange of high-level visits between Nepal and its neighbours

Narayan Prasad Ghimire / Kathmandu: The three-major-party meeting held Tuesday for the first time after the formation of the government under the leadership of CPN (Maoist-Centre) ended inconclusively. Rather, it saw exchange of heated words between the leaders of the ruling Nepali Congress and major opposition CPN-UML. The meeting was called by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to discuss his upcoming visit to India, amendment of the constitution and upcoming elections. The three major parties failed to discuss anything constructively while the country is in pressing need of implementing the constitution by addressing all concerns over it and holding elections at all three levels-federal, provincial and local.

The UML is venting its ire on the government for the latter’s process of amending constitution, as it is not in favour of doing so. However, it is not sure whether the meeting’s indecision was a reflection of UML’s anger over the act of NC and Maoist parties joining hands to topple the KP Oli-led government, or an indication that it is likely to pose serious obstruction to the execution of the new government’s plans.

This was also evident in the recent visits by the two DPMs as special envoys of the Prime Minister to the two neighbouring countries-China and India. Though the government has termed the visits as very successful, making atmosphere conducive to exchanges of high level visits, the UML has raised objection over the act of appointments of the envoys itself. The main opposition has also been insisting on implementation of the constitution rather than the amendment, which the NC and Maoist party had committed before the agitating Madhesi parties to end their Kathmandu-centric agitation.

Moreover, the UML has been making hue and cry over the DPM Bimalendra Nidhi’s visit to India for allegedly courting the southern neighbour to discuss the national agenda -amendment of the constitution. Although courting neighbours before taking a decision on any serious national agenda is a self-exposing and humiliating act, it is not a new phenomenon in Nepali politics. To substantiate here, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Oli-government Kamal Thapa had been to Delhi on several occasions in a bid to address the Madhes concern over the new constitution. After his return, the Oli government decided for constitution amendment and a committee to review of the delineation of the provinces was also set up.

Similarly, the UML continues to boast of freeing Nepalis from the inhumane economic blockade imposed by India on Nepal. To this, what we can’t forget is- yes, the Oli government made efforts to clear blockade, but in vain. Rather, it was India itself that decided to clear the blockade, realising China’s gradual presence in Nepal with the signing of a trade and transit treaty.

In this connection, one may wonder- Was it really India’s awakening that it was a blunder to have imposed the blockade in Nepal? Did the blockade dent India heavily and strain its age-old relations with Nepal? How are Nepalis to respond to India in this regard?Current political developments also indicate that India is in a bid to restore the harmonious relations with Nepal and the Nepalis.

In this regard, senior journalist and former lawmaker of the Nepali Congress Homnath Dahal argues in a write-up on a national daily, “If India has realized its mistake of imposing inhumane economic blockade on Nepal and wants to assuage Nepalis’ pain, it needs to initiate the Pancheshwor Multi-Purpose Project setting clear work plans for which Nepal and India had agreed 20 years back and complete the construction of postal highway along the Tarai which is the most protracted development agenda initiated with the support of the Indian government.”

On to the government again, both the ruling parties, Maoists and the NC have argued that relations with the neighbours,which was botched up by the Oli government, have been improved now. Also, the government is saying it will work on balancing the relations with the neighbouring countries. It is to see how the government acts on this.

Amid this background, Prime Minister Dahal is embarking on a customary visit to India after being elevated to the reigns of Singha Durbar for the second time since he joined peaceful politics in 2006. It is also to see whether he spends his southern sojourn being panegyric or boldly puts Nepal’s clear stand on neighbourly conducts. As many, including the opposition, have argued, the government, in the name of balancing the neighbourly relations, should not belittle the good initiatives of the previous government as the trade and transit treaty with China, which is very much in the long-term interest of India-locked Nepal.

Although Nepal has always advocated for equal relations with China and India, its relations with India is more ingrained among people-to-people owing to culture, language and geography. China is well aware of it, and has been acting accordingly. The common concern of both neighbours is of course security and the strategic positioning. To this,Nepal’s judicious approach is imperative. Rising above party interests and making a common stand among all political parties while dealing with foreign relations can’t be ignored.

Conclusively, how meaningful the exchanges of visits to be initiated by Prime Minister Dahal to India and probably to China would rest upon how effectively the constitution is implemented, how peacefully the elections in three tiers are held, how respectfully Madhes issues are addressed, and how resourceful the efforts are made for stability, peace and prosperity in the country with the boosted relations with neighbours. RSS