Nepal-India Relations
Example Of Good Neighbours

By Chiranjibi Paudyal

IT is not an exaggeration that the relation between Nepal and India has remained close, cordial, warm and friendly since ancient times. This cordiality has always blunted occasional comments and suspicion about the relations between the two countries. The relations between the two South Asian neighbors are exemplary. The cordiality is not only at the government level but also at the people's level.

Equality

Politics has little to do with the relation between the two countries as the relation was founded by the people since time immemorial. Thousands of people cross the border every day without any difficulty and cement the ties based on the solid foundation of our tradition, culture, religion and many other common bonds of friendship. In spite of this free flow of contacts between the peoples of the two countries and heart to heart relations, there is always suspicion about this cordiality on both sides of the border. In size, India is very big compared to Nepal and other south Asian countries. Nepal has also a very glorious history. Nepal never remained under the colony of any country and unity in diversity always remained the identity and glory of Nepal for hundreds of years. Every citizen is proud of it. Every country has its own unique feature and its comparison to others has no meaning.
There should be no feelings of suspicion about the size and population of any country and that does not count much in the present context. Every nation, big or small, developed or developing, has equal status and are members of the United Nations. They can enjoy equal response and prestige in the international community. It depends on the particular nation to earn glory and prestige through development and other activities. The relation between Nepal and India is not and should not be guided by the feeling of small or big.

The situation between Nepal and India is totally different from the condition of other countries so we have an open borders. The open border is an exemplary of the strong friendship of the two countries from where thousands of people of the two countries cross each day carrying the message of good will. The situation has changed now in the context of increasing cross border terrorist activities not only in South Asia but also throughout the world. In such circumstances, there is the need for effective management of the border by strengthening security and sharing information between the two countries. Management of border is essential to curb terrorist and other activities.

Closure of the border is not a solution to any problem of the two countries rather it is the beginning of the problem. Provision should be made to safeguard the interests of a small country like Nepal. Speaking at a function, Indian Ambassador Shyam Saran said recently that Nepal should take the benefit of open border, the open border is not a hindrance for Nepal but it is an opportunity.
India is a big market and the big market next door to us could be important to attract foreign investment and Indian tourists. Indian investors which comprise over 50 per cent of Nepal's joint investment could also be attracted and millions of dollars of revenue and thousands of employment could be generated in the country. If it is properly implemented in action rather than in slogans and speech, Indian investment can change the development structure of Nepal. So is the case of trade promotion.

There are a lot of areas from which Nepal and India both can take benefit. The clearly seen possibility is in water resources sector. There is shortage of electricity in the northern bordering areas due to the industrialisation in India and Nepal has the capacity of producing electricity from its abundant source of water resources. Such areas are not fully utilised for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries. How are small countries taking benefit from their big neighbours in the world? Nepal should seriously think on taking proper benefits. The relation of the two countries is also like the relations of close friends. There are ups and downs in the relations of the countries like in the life of an individual. The overall relations of the two countries should not be judged just exaggerating these ups and downs which occur like the wave of the ocean. The relations rooted in the strong foundation in the heart of people of the two countries could not be dismantled. It is the heart to heart relations spontaneously developed in people. Such small happenings should not affect our friendly relations nurtured for centuries.

International situation has changed a lot in the last few years especially after the September 11 terrorist attacks in the USA.

The new threat of terrorism has brought drastic change in the world after the end of the cold war more than a decade ago. Fight against terrorism has been the sole priority around the globe. The South Asia region is also facing the problem of terrorism for the last few years and this has brought the two closer. Time has changed a lot, therefore, the relations should also be transparent, clear and friendly. For that, the issues like Kalapani, 1950 treaty should be made clear with the common consensus of the two countries. Such issues should not be raised time and again and when these issues are being raised in some level, then there is the need to finalise such issues in view of the cordial, friendly relations of the two countries. Rumours, suspicions and politicisation of the issue plunges the relations. These are not serious issues in view of the deep friendship in the heart of every citizen of both the countries. There should be no suspicion and doubt about true friendship.

Future

After the visit of His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev to India last year, a senior Indian minister said "This time, the relations of the two countries is in the peak" due to the frequent interactions and exchange of visits at the high level. The words of Indian senior minister Sushma Swaraj clearly reflect the feelings of people of the two countries: "The relation between Nepal and India is always good and will remain good in the future."

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