New Frontiers of Ties
Between Nepal And India

By Shirish B. Pradhan

NEPAL-India relations are not only age old and cordial but also unique in the world. The traditional friendly relations existing between the two neighbouring countries are nurtured by frequent exchange of high level visits between them. Besides the formal diplomatic relations between the two governments there have been strong bonds of people to people relations between them.

Interactions

Between the two countries there are long open borders, which can be crossed without any visa or passport. The peoples of the two countries can work in each other's territory without any work permit. The people of Terai have even established marital relations with those from across the border. It is not only the people who cross the border numbering tens of thousands on daily basis but quintals of consumer goods are transported between them as well. Not only that, Nepalese and Indian peoples celebrate many festivals together. They observe Holi, Ram Navami, Vijaya Dashami, Buddha Purnima and many other festivals together. They visit each other's pilgrimage site for religious purposes. They come to our Pashupatinath temple and we go to Kashi and Jagannath in India. They easily understand each other's language and often adopt each other's customs, tradition and culture. Such kinds of interactions rarely occur between any other two countries in the world.

In this context, the personal visit His Majesty the King is paying to India for eleven days starting from Thursday is regarded highly significant. Though the visit is personal and religious in nature it is none the less important than any other state visit by His Majesty. This is the second visit by Their Majesties the King and the Queen to India within a period of nine months, which itself is an evidence of how much importance Nepal attaches to her relations with the southern neighbour.

Nepal-India relations are multifarious in nature. The two countries are tied with the bonds of political, economic, cultural, religious and social proximities. His Majesty the King's high level contacts with top Indian leaders including President APJ Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee will not only help foster bilateral understanding between the two countries but will also open new frontiers of cooperation between them.

Nepal is passing through one of the most crucial periods of its history at present with the announcement of the cease-fire and initiation of the peace process. In this context India's goodwill and sympathy both matter to us for durable peace, stability and development of Nepal. Indian Ambassador to Nepal Shyam Saran has rightly observed that a strong and stable Nepal is also in the interest of India. The growing violence and terror in Nepal had also worried India, which is also suffering from the cross-border terrorism. India has provided all the possible helps and cooperation to this Himalayan country to fight the menace of terrorism.

India has provided Nepal with military assistance, helicopters, arms and logistics to help her in the counter-insurgency campaigns. India has also handed over to Nepal some Maoist cadres who were hiding in her territory.

As the largest democracy in the world India has always been a strong supporter of democracy in Nepal. India has time and again expressed the view that they attach high importance to both multiparty democracy and constitutional monarchy in Nepal. India has always been supporting Nepal's democratic process and development efforts. India knows very clearly that without democracy there cannot be permanent peace and stability in Nepal and a stable and peaceful Nepal will always be in the interest of India.

In fact, Nepal and India can interact and co-operate in many frontiers. Water resources, tourism, trade, industries, joint venture and many other areas are there to explore if they join hands together. We have not been able to exploit opportunities in the areas of water resources. Nepal has surplus water resources and India's states adjoining Nepalese border have scarcity of hydro-electricity. If we can utilise the resources with our joint efforts both the countries can benefit from it. Similarly, Indian tourists comprise more than one third of foreign visitors coming to Nepal. Nepal can benefit tremendously if we can attract more tourists from India by promoting cooperation in tourism sector. Likewise, Nepal can benefit from the vast Indian markets through the maximum utilisation of the provisions of existing trade treaty between the two countries. We can attract foreign investment and explore vast Indian market, if we focus our attention in establishing industries.

Nepal is surrounded on three sides by India, which poses both opportunities and challenges. Indian Ambassador Saran has rightly said that Nepal is not India-locked but India open. If we can utilise the vast Indian market it is India-open, if not then obviously it is India-locked. We cannot choose neighbours, but we can choose our strategies, policies and our vision. If we manufacture high quality goods we can get one billion population market, which western countries are also eyeing.

New Contest

The high level visits can be instrumental in exploring new frontiers of bilateral relationships between the two countries besides fostering political understanding and goodwill between them. Such visits can also be helpful in clearing misunderstanding and problem between the two countries if there is any. Now there is a need to define the subsisting relations between Nepal and India in the new context as we both are moving ahead in the 21st century. Let's hope that the visit will renew our bilateral ties and bring prosperity to both peoples of Nepal and India.

Other Stories

• A Positive Step For Peace
• Chitwan's Last Corridor