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Bhutanese Refugees & Nepal
A Burden To The Economy

By Gandhi Raj Kafle

THE cost of supporting 100,000 plus Bhutanese refugees in different camps of Jhapa is a serious economic burden on Nepal. As such, what economic measures have been taken to tackle it? International aid, local help, national support, charity programmes and regional and global humanitarian assistance can be some precarious economic situation. forms of cooperation for sustaining the refugees. But are Bhutanese refugees getting them conveniently to run their day-to-day lives? Nepal is doing its utmost effort in favour of these evicted Bhutanese refugees. Yet, international cooperation is a must, especially considering Nepal’s

Problem

The problem of Bhutanese refugees, no doubt, must be solved as soon as possible. If friends of Nepal help and we succeed in it, it will automatically put an end to refugee-created economic problems of the country. But, at a time when series of bilateral talks have not been able to make any significant breakthrough on the issue, the fulfillment of refugees’ basic needs comes first for Nepal. So, economic aspects of Bhutanese refugees, is a dominant part of the problems.

In the beginning, when the inflow of Bhutanese refugees into the country was not intense, the problem was not so serious economically. But, in a short time, dramatic change took place. Evictions of the Bhutanese of Nepalese origin in Bhutan and who had been residing there as that country’s citizens, went unabated. In no time, the number of refugees quickly swelled to 100,000 plus, thereby threatening the social, economic and environmental sectors of the country.

Unlike Nepal, there are big economies, which can sustain economic shocks till they manage to find solution to the problems. Backed up with robust economies, they have the time for searching for solutions. The problems like additional burden of refugees, short period financial crisis, export-import imbalance, state of unemployment and saving-investment gap too can be solved because they have enough resources to fight the crisis. But, it’s an open secret that small countries can’t sustain such burdens. When in crisis, they find themselves in deep trouble even in short run. This is, due to the economic vulnerability of small economies.

Therefore, the economic burden created from the unabated inflow of Bhutanese refugees is obviously different from that of nations with vigorous economies. In this vein, 100,000 plus refugees in Nepal, a country of 21 million people with fragile economic foundation, is indeed a serious problem. So, if today’s economically globalised world is really serious over the difficulties of under-developed countries like Nepal, their problems, like Bhutanese refugees, should draw their attention.

However, global attention alone is not enough. The region, especially the groupings of affected countries must come closer to find solutions for common problems - be it political, economic or social. The courage to accept the reality and being pragmatic in search for solutions for both parties negotiating to end the deadlock of Bhutanese refugee issue would, therefore, pay dividend for Nepal and Bhutan.

One thing, which must not be forgotten here, is about identification. Several studies have shown that refugees hold strong proof concerning their Bhutanese citizenship. This is not a unilateral rhetoric of Nepal only. The independent observers too have echoed the same statement after observations. After all they all have come from Bhutan and had been living in that country legally. And, if Nepal and Bhutan settle this issue amicably, the refugees will return to their country and continue to hold their properties which they have left behind when chased out of that country.

The help of India, one of the close neighbours for both Nepal and Bhutan, should be sought to settle the issues of Bhutanese here in Nepal. But, has there been any role for India? If there is and if Bhutan and India take the initiative seriously, then how would it be taken regionally? Till date, India has chosen a convenient path, which directly and indirectly insists bilateral solution to the problem.

But, one fact that can’t be ignored here is that no refugees from Bhutan can enter into Nepal without bypassing the soil of India. It logically provides a ground for India to take up the issue. Besides it, Nepal and Bhutan talks have taken a long time, and what is more confusing here is that almost all the talks have ended inconclusively. This all shows that the talks have stalled, thereby prolonging Nepal’s trouble for its socio-economic development process.

So, India’s pragmatic approach to help its two close neighbours, Nepal and Bhutan, for finding solution to the problems created by the presence of 100,000 plus Bhutanese refugees in different camps of Jhapa and Morang of Nepal is the need of the hour. Besides, India being one of the important partners of process for economic development of Nepal, it knows well the troublesome impact of the presence of refugees in Nepal, which is in need of international support to set its economy towards higher growth.

India, over the decades, has helped Nepal in its bid to achieve higher growth. And, to continue this trend of economic cooperation, many mutually beneficial projects have been also put in the pipeline. One such mega-project studied to implement in recent times is the Mahakali integrated scheme. India, which surrounds Nepal from three sides, is the largest country of South Asia with one billion population. So, the country has a very important role to play for promotion of stability and cooperation in the region.

Reason

Against this backdrop, there is enough reason for India to play a constructive role for settling the Bhutanese refugee problem, which has involved Nepal and Bhutan directly. India’s thrust, till date, is on bilateral talks. If solution to refugee issue is not forthcoming in the days to come, then Nepal, to free itself from such heavy economic and environmental burden that it is having to bear with due to the presence of over 100,000 Bhutanese refugees in its soil, should leave no available avenues and foras unexplored.

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