EDITOR'S NOTE
The just concluded four day Nepal-India
inter-governmental official level trade talks have, once again exposed India's masked
mien. It is quite gratifying to see that Nepalese officials have been able to offer some
kind of resistance to the overweening demands of the Indian delegation. It is reliably
learnt that the Indians have threatened to terminate the treaty when it expires on 5
December 2001. As a matter of fact, such attitude on the part of the Indians is nothing
new as far Nepal and other smaller nations of South Asia are concerned. Nepal, in
particular, because of her geography has been experiencing unbearable hardships for more
than five decades ever since India gained her independence from the British. In 1950 the
most unequal treaty was clamped on her. The last Rana prime minister was cornered to sign
the treaty on a false promise of quid pro quo. In the late sixties the trade agreement had
to be deferred for two years due to the unrelenting stance of the Indians. And about
twelve years back a virtual economic blockade, unthinkable between friendly nations was
imposed on Nepal for more than year. Since the rulers of independent India have treated
Nepal as a captive market, they always find various excuses to retard her economic growth,
by restraining her commercial expansion and industrial development. This becomes a big
irony when Indian statesmen never tire extolling age old friendship and their unparalleled
economic aid to Nepal. Nothing could be more hypocritical. The Indian contention that
certain Nepalese exports have started hurting Indian industries and thus the Indian
economy is nothing but endicrous. Even an insane man would think twice to believe such a
figment of imagination. According to available statistics Nepalese exports of those items
to India are almost negligible in comparison to India's imports from other countries
heardly coming to a meager one percent. Nepal has been suffering hundreds of millions of
dollars adverse trade balance in her trade with India. And when she started to narrow the
gap even to an insignificant degree, the Indians are making a big hue and cry. The Indians
are definite to press the issue and force the Nepalese to come to their terms in the next
meeting whenever that happens. People here are quite apprehensive that the Nepali Congress
government might willingly capitulate. It could be a big testing issue for Prime Minister
Sher Bahadur Deuba. It might provide him a good opportunity to prove that he is not
antinational as his senior colleagues and predecessors. He must acquire enough guts to
thwart the unreasonable pressures from his bigger neighbor in the South. If he behaves
like a Nepali patriot, he can rest assure the whole nation will back him. The Nepalese are
ready to tighten their belts once again and face another economic blockade if they have
to. But, we do believe such a situation will not come to pass. Time cannot be reverted
twelve years back and the world has moved forward. Let us hope wisdom will prevail and the
talks will have a happy ending, safeguarding Nepal's right to economic development.
* * *
Sher Bahadur Deuba led Nepali Congress
government seems to be losing the grip over the negotiated settlement with the Maoists.
Since the issue demands urgent, attention, Deuba has to accord utmost priority in forming
a national consensus for the talks. We had emphasized earlier that the members of the
lower house only do not constitute the whole nation's public opinion. As a matter of fact
they should have done that. But their insensitive behavior towards the poor of the country
and their blatant selfishness in nursing their personal interests have deprived them of
that inherent responsibility. Moreover, an overwhelming public opinion has not been
represented in the parliament. If Deuba, fails to embrace the whole nation to resolve this
national issue he will be digging his own grave. He can never overloose the fact that he
also is personally responsible for creating this problem and thus shares the onus of
bringing it to a peaceful conclusion. The Maoists, he must understand, might not be alone.
They too must have the support of elements inimical to Nepal's interests. Consequently, it
will be a tough job for Deuba to wean them away from such alien influence. And he will
need the support of all sections of Nepalese populace for a fruitful dialogue. If he
adopts an intransigent attitude of belonging to the biggest ruling party, he will be only
inirting sad say for himself. He must also realize that as the Prime Minister, it is his
job to maintain law and order and bring peace to the troubled nation. He must learn to be
his own master and work sincerely in the interest of the country.
| Chief-Editor & Publisher |
: Madhav Kumar Rimal |
| Editor |
: Sarita Rimal |
| Managing Editor |
: Keshab Poudel |
| Associate Editor |
: Bhagirath Yogi |
| Senior Reporter |
: Sanjaya Dhakal |
| Reporter |
: Akshay Sharma |
| Photographer |
: Nishchal Chapagain |
| Editorial Office |
: GPO Box 7256,Baluwatar,Kathmandu, Nepal. |
| Telephone |
: 977 1 423 127 |
| Fax |
: 977 1 417 845 |
| email |
: spotligh@mos.com.np |
|
