The present imbroglio in Nepal-India relations is the manifestation of India's accumulated grievances against Nepal's independent stance on many domestic as well as international issues. Ever since it achieved Independence from colonial rule in 1947, India has harboured ambitions of becoming the superpower in the region. India has failed to generate any kind of goodwill with any of her smaller neighbours, not to mention the bigger neighbour, China. Is not this enough testimony of India's short-sighted policy in the region?
Of all India's neighbours, Nepal is the closest. But Nepal is locked in by India on three sides. Because of its size and vulnerability, it will never be able to hurt India's interests in any manner. But India is in a position not only to squeeze Nepal but also to make her whole existence miserable by exploiting her vulnerability. Such behaviour has only generated apprehensions in the minds of Nepali rulers who are forced to search far and near for more sympathetic friends to restrain a domineering India.
Is not India forcing Nepal into a corner? The recent economic and trade squeeze against a tiny neighbour will boomerang and result in the erosion of Nepalese goodwill for India.
The high-handedness of Indian diplomats at Kathmandu started generating anti-India feelings among Nepali intellectuals in the early '50s. Not only did Indian diplomats behave in a domineering way, but they did not think twice about denigrating the institutions and personalities that Nepalis revere. This fact has been fully substantiated by Professor S.D. Muni of Jawaharlal Nehru University, who is an expert on South Asian affairs.
Ever since India pressured Nepal into signing the unfavourable treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950, she sowed the seeds of mistrust. Any objective student of history can discern the in equality which characterises the treaty of 1950. Mohan Shamsher Rana, the then prime minister of Nepal, had no option but to sign that unequal treaty in the vain hope that the Government of India would stop backing those Nepali politicians who were fighting to dethrone him. Only four months after signing the treaty, the Rana regime gave in.
It is imperative that the Indian authorities start an unbiased self-appraisal. Why should Nepal, whose destiny is closely linked with India ever think of distancing it self from her? Are not the Indian authorities forcing Nepal, pushing her into a corner? The recent economic and trade squeeze against a tiny neighbour will boomerang and result in the erosion of Nepalese goodwill for India.
Nepal is not only a developing nation, but one of the poorest, and she needs India's goodwill and cooperation to achieve an economic miracle. As such, it can never be in Nepal's interest to unnecessarily affront India. Moreover, a common culture, common religion and close social relations for thousands of years have cemented Nepal-India relations into an indissoluble bond. If Nepal ever transgresses the limits of diplomatic sobriety, it must not be interpreted as a deliberate attempt to pique India.
Rather, it should be taken as a manifestation of her overzealousness to defend her sovereignty and independence. But a lack of sympathy and understanding on the part of the Government of India tends to sour relations off and on. Nepal wants that the Government of India be magnanimous, treat her as a sovereign, independent country and respect her status. No nation, however small or weak, likes its dignity being slighted. Therefore, anti-India behaviour or feeling on the part of the Nepali Government or intelligentsia must not be taken as the true index of Nepal-India relations. It is only a fleeting expression of Nepali resentment against the exploitation of their unfortunate situation by India.
India can cripple Nepal's economy by prolonging the stalemate. But that could be counter-productive for her. If Nepal is made to lose face. India will inevitably lose Nepal's goodwill. The world community will not remain silent for long if the sanctions against Nepal start becoming inhuman.
(Madhav K. Rimal is the chief editor of Spotlight, Kathmandu)