EDITOR'S NOTE
The Indian foreign minister Jaswant Singh is
coming to Nepal on a two day visit beginning August 18. The visit of the dignitary of such
a high stature from a close and friendly neighbor should have been able to generate
spontaneous enthusiasm and regard in our hearts. Unfortunately, it is not so. Not that it
is, in any way, a reflection on the personality of Singh. As our honored guest we must
make his stay most happy and pleasant. At the same time we must not fail or even hesitate
to bring to his notice the injustices our poor country has been suffering due to erroneous
policies of his government. We do believe, he is not unaware of the coolness that has
increased in our bilateral relations since the hijacking of the Indian aircraft and
subsequent events that have shaken the very foundation of our nation's economy. They have
not only almost destroyed our tourism industry but contributed to deepen the roots of
mutual recriminations. The never ending pernicious and totally baseless publicity against
the smaller neighbor-Nepal-by one of the strongest print and electronic media of the world
has only added fuel to the fire. It has only exacerbated the hurt sensitivity of the
Nepalese people while worsening the already bad economic situation. A most recent example
of such attacks can be found in one of the leaders of the most prestigious Indian daily
The Times of India dated 9 August 2001 under the caption "The other Nepalis."
This note has virtually threatened the new Nepalese monarch of dire consequences if things
do not go in the interest of India. Even though the Times of India is branded as the
official mouthpiece of the Indian bureaucracy in the South Block, we are still prepared to
give the benefit of doubt to the Indian politicians who may not conform to the thinking of
the bureaucrats who still prefer and enjoy to bask in the sunshine of the Raj legacies of
their colonial masters.
Under the circumstances nothing could seem
more ironical than to say that Singh's visit, at this juncture, has been arranged to
express solidarity with the new monarch who has succeeded to the throne in the aftermath
of the heart chilling massacre at the Royal Palace. Singh must realize that the deeprooted
anti-India feelings in the minds of patriotic Nepalese are not their own creations. No
patriotic Nepali would want any kind of confrontation with his giant neighbor. The initial
perfidy against the last Rana prime minister of Nepal by the first prime minister of
independent India and the innumerable injustices, still being continued unabated against
the weak, small and physically handicapped neighbor have never permitted the wounds to
heal permanently. Consequently the seesaw that is evident in Nepal India relations is a
clear manifestation of the corresponding state of relationship. Jaswant Singh, who is
noted as a very powerful politician in the NDA government in India and holds two important
portfolios of defence and foreign relations must try to assuage the bruised feelings of
his neighbor. He cannot overlook the fact that India's relations with her smaller
neighbors have a direct bearing to the achievement of her soaring ambitions. Unless he is
able to put his foot down and cut the bureaucrats to their size, any significant
improvement in the political situation in South Asia would always remain a dream. Singh is
also expected to discuss his top priority topic, India's security perceptions. India's
obsession that Nepal is her Achilles Heel and she is doing nothing to stop the undesirable
activities of her enemies in Nepal has always worked as a thorn in substantially improving
the relationship. Nepal can only profess not to let her territory to be used by any
elements against any of her friendly country. She has constantly and untiringly worked on
this principle. If anybody refuses to believe her, what can she do? Be that as it may, we
do welcome the visit of such a high dignitary from our neighbor-India- as Jaswant Singh to
our smaller country and do hope he will sincerely work to strengthen the bilateral
relations not forgetting to respect Nepal's sensitivity.
| 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 |
|
