NATIONAL 1 (Spotlight Weekly)]

Exchange Of Goodwill

During his three-day visit, India’s foreign minister tries to assuage Nepali sentiments while forwarding his own agenda

By BHAGIRATH YOGI

Termed as a goodwill visit, Indian Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh may have succeeded in his mission to neutralize what is often described as ‘anti-Indian sentiments’ in Nepal. He also had an opportunity to `feel the pulse’ of new monarch, King Gyanendra, and newly appointed Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.

During his three-day visit (August 17-19), Singh discussed a range of outstanding issues with Nepali officials, prominent among them being the renewal of the bilateral trade treaty and inundation of Nepali territory due to Indian constructs across the border. Perhaps the most important statement by the seasoned diplomat was on the Maoist movement in Nepal.

A press statement issued at the end of the three-day visit to Nepal by Indian Foreign and Defense Minister Jaswant Singh Sunday said India has expressed appreciation of the move of the Nepalese government to negotiate with the Maoist.

Without naming Pakistan, the statement said the two sides discussed India’s concern with regard to use of Nepalese territory for anti-India activities by elements maneuvered by third countries. India has been complaining that the Pakistani intelligence agency, ISI, has been operating from Nepal to spread terrorism in India. Both Nepal and Pakistan have denied such allegations. Premier Deuba reiterated that Nepal would not allow its territory to be used against friendly countries — a policy professed by Nepal for long.

Responding to the concerns of the Nepalese government and business community on the renewal of bilateral trade treaty later this year, Minister Singh said, "It is being presumed that India does not want the continuation of the treaty. This is factually incorrect." But both Nepali officials andbusinessmen have understood well that Nepal can no longer expect to enjoy the same privileges as the treaty comes for renewal in the first week of December this year.

Even before Singh’s return, India slapped anti-dumping duty on the imports of zinc oxide from Nepal. Though Nepal has formally protested against the Indian decision, saying that it was against the 1996 treaty, there may be little room for easing pressure by the Indian side on the eve of the crucial negotiations.

Responding to Nepal’s concerns over the impact of an under-construction Rasiyal-Khurda Lautan bund, Singh said the Indian government had already ordered a halt to the construction of the bund. "India has no intention of inundating the Nepali territory," he said. He, however, did not explain about the lack of progress in addressing the problem of inundation in several villages in Banke district in mid-western Nepal due to the construction of Laxmanpur barrage by India.

Singh attended a quiet dinner organized by Premier Deuba, who also holds the foreign and defense portfolios, in his honor Saturday at Baluwatar. During his audience with King Gyanendra Sunday morning, Singh conveyed condolence to His Majesty at the sad demise of the Nepalese royal family on June 1. "My visit was to offer to Nepal India’s continuing commitment of friendship, support and cooperation," the Indian minister said. "I had a very fruitful and productive meeting at all levels and am going back highly rewarded."

Officials did not say anything about the outcome, if any, regarding deliberations on outstanding issues such as reviewing the 1950 treaty of peace and friendship expediting the Mahakali treaty, withdrawal of Indian troops from Kalapani area and regulating the long common, openborder between the two countries. The timing of the Indian foreign minister’s visit, on the eve of the 11th SAARC summit expected to take place in Kathmandu later this year, was also significant.

Experts watching the high and lows in Nepal-India relations say both the countries would do well by looking at their relations from a wider perspective. While security perception has remained at the core of Indian policy toward Nepal, Nepal has failed to formulate and articulate its India policy, over the years. The love-hate relationship that Nepal harbors toward its southern neighbor could often be described as a `small country syndrome.’

The most pragmatic approach would be reconciliation between Nepal and India by redefining their political and economic relations in view of the changing economic order to significantly strengthen their ties based on their mutual faith in democracy.