National 3 (Spotlight Weekly)

Indian Envoy Speaks

Ambassador Shyam Sharan candidly addresses various issues relating to Nepal-India relations

By KESHAB POUDEL

Diplomacy is a game of possibility and the role of any diplomat is to make impossible things possible. A good envoy can play important role to smoothen the state-to-state relations by overcoming irritants and misunderstanding, if any, between the two countries.

Though Nepal and India share many commonalities in religion, social and culture, they seem to have nominal role as far as maintaining the relations are concerned. Because of small irritations in state-to-state relations, economic and other broader areas of cooperation have suffered.

Ambassador Sharan : Diplomatic demeanor

Since India's economy is moving fast with average growth rate of 6 percent, Nepal has a big market just close to its door. Thanks to many hindrances, Nepal is yet to take advantage of India's economic development. Instead of promoting relations based on commonalities, broader interests of the two countries are pushed to the back-burner.

At a time when general public seems to be in a confusion over India's position towards Nepal, Indian envoy Sharan clarified Indian government's position on various issues including on the ongoing government-Maoist talks, political agitation and possible areas of cooperation.

"India wants to see political stability in Nepal and firmly believes that constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy are the two basic pillars of Nepalese democracy. Peace process cannot succeed without the participation of political parties," said Sharan, a soft spoken and seasoned Indian diplomat replying to the queries put forth by reporters.

Cautious not to use any word that could hurt the Nepalese psyche, Indian envoy Sharan put forth India's concern and policies frankly. "We cannot go away from geography and we must be clear about it. If India benefits, Nepal, too, will benefit," said Sharan, highlighting the geographical, religious and cultural proximity between the two countries.

As pointed out by Indian envoy, any political trouble or anarchy in Nepal will have spillover effect on India. Nepal's terrain and geography is in such a position that India's interests can be served only through political stability and liberal democracy in Nepal. In short, the continuation of violence in Nepal will affect Nepalese people but India, too, will have to face consequences of emergence of any radical violent force in Nepal.

Replying to a query regarding Nepalese Maoists reportedly securing safe shelter in India, Indian envoy Sharan expressed concern over the linkage of Nepalese Maoists with other terrorist outfits in India like People's War Group and Maoist Communist Center. "We have already told the Maoist that this linkage must be severed and that they must give up the gun."

In a question regarding international mediation in the peace process, Indian ambassador made it clear that Indian government believes Nepalese themselves can settle their problems. "And it is fully up to the Nepalese people to decide if they want outside mediation," he said.

Talking to reporters just five days before the initiation of the government-Maoist talks in Nepalgunj, bordering town 500 kilometer west of capital, Indian envoy Sharan called on the Maoists to give up their arms and return to the people of Nepal. "Elections should take place. But it cannot be held under the shadow of gun," said Sharan.

Sharan said India wants to see the peace process succeed. "India welcomes the peace process and would like to see it succeed," Sharan said. "Constitutional monarchy and multiparty democracy must go together and the Maoist cannot go on with continuous reliance on gun."

Being a career diplomat with long experience in foreign office, Indian envoy Sharan showed his strong commitment to strengthen the relations between the two countries highlighting already existing commonalities.

From Maoist problems to constitutional deadlock, trade disputes and water inundation issue and economic cooperation, Indian ambassador Sharan pointed out the bottom line of Nepal-India relations and commonalties that have evolved through the course of centuries long interactions.