Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Niraj Aryal

India’s bullying tactic in its neighborhood took a new turn in the week that passed. First it was Pakistan’s turn, as it could not stop criticizing its western neighbor over the issue of handling its troubled region of Balochistan, which are obviously hitting headlines. As expected to this Indian shrug Pakistan not keeping mum warned India of meddling into its internal affairs unnecessarily and also blamed the Indian government of supporting anti-state elements in the region. Indian bullying does not in anyway proves that Pakistan is a weaker nation but an important fact is that, whether it is Balochistan or Rolpa, whenever and wherever there is trouble in South-Asia, India is always present. This is South Asian proven destiny!

In Nepal, Indian interference is at the maximum and unlike Pakistan our government is not in a position to fire back, reasons perhaps known to all citizens of this ill-fated country where leaders always differ over the issues of national interest. This is why a big bully nation like India muddles around the Nepali matters so easily.

Indian Ambassador’s interview the other day in a television channel speaks in itself the magnitude of Indian interest in Nepali matters and their desire to see Nepalese divided over petty matters. This is just a part of a greater Indian design, which has so far succeeded. Create fissures in between the King and the parties and enjoy from the clash!

Analyzing the interview again this is perhaps the only time when India has openly accepted of muddling into Nepali affairs. To few political analysts this interview has possibly broken all diplomatic norms and has challenged the sovereignty of the Nepali state. The Ambassador does not talk of Nepal's sovereignty. This means for him Nepal is not a sovereign nation. Will he turn the pages of the most disgusting 1950 treaty that Nepal had with India wherein he would find just the other wise.

The interview has also exposed India whereby the ambassador was forced to talk about the hidden agendas that India had devised for Nepal since long time.

Ambassador amply hinted that India objects to the being of the Nepali Monarchy. India objects to any kind of political setup that does not yield to their dictate in Nepal. India objects to Nepal’s cordial relations with China and Pakistan. Indian objects to buying weapons from China and finally calls it a China card and offers corrupt leaders in the Kingdom the cheapest off all the card called an Indian card, which is of course free of cost at least while talking in public.

In addition, India objects to the proposed Koshi Highway, that China is interested to construct which will connect eastern Terai to the booming Lahsa. India objects to the opening of Chinese consulate in Biratnagar and Pakistani consulate in Birganj.

Continuing in the same tone as ambassador Mukharjee in Kathmandu, self proclaimed Nepal expert C .RAJA MOHAN writes from New Delhi, “In trying to pressurize India by threatening to draw closer to China and Pakistan, King Gyanendra might end up achieving the opposite—a hardening of Indian positions against him. The few Indian constituencies where the King enjoys support, such as the RSS and sections of the security establishment, might want to draw the line at letting the King facilitate Chinese and Pak activity on the Indo-Nepal border.”

Finally for the conclusion, a write up by H. L. D. Mahindapala in the Asia tribune, “ Economically, India is obsessed with dynamic growth which, of course, has a larger dimension of becoming a major power by 2020, if not by 2050. But India , like human beings, does not live by bread alone. Economic growth entails greater political, moral and social responsibilities. It also invites greater security threats to its national interests. Therefore, economic growth demands that India should stabilize its neighboring region. India ’s security is tied up inextricably with the security and the stability of its neighbors.”