National 1 (Spotlight Weekly)

Crucial Concern

The Indian external affairs minister K. Natwar Singh’s likely visit to Nepal could bring about improvements in the existing relations

By A CORRESPONDENT

South Block in New Delhi : New leadership

At a time when the political deadlock between constitutional forces continue amid intensification of the Maoist activities, the newly appointed Indian Minister for External Affairs K. Natwar Singh is expected to visit Nepal this weekend with the view to talk on several issues.

Although any formal agenda is yet to be announced, high-level officials of both the countries will be expected to discuss on Maoist problems, political impasse, security situation, bilateral trade and water resources. After a few days of lull, the Maoists have intensified their destructive activities on the eve of the visit of the new Indian foreign minister.

Just a week before Singh’s visit to Nepal, India’s leading daily newspaper, in its view and counterview column, published two opinions hinting likely policy of new government towards Nepal.

According to reports, Indian foreign minister Singh - who will begin his two-day visit from June 4 – will meet King Gyanendra, senior officials and leaders of political parties. After his appointment as an external affairs minister, Singh seems to have chosen Nepal as the first country of his visit. The high priority given to Nepal by the newly formed Indian government of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) led by Congress party is understandable since Nepal has been passing through a very critical time. The fact that Indian envoy to Nepal Shyam Saran was the first one to be called for consultations by the new government in Delhi also speaks volumes about the priority attached to Nepal.

Following the election debacle of the government led by Bharatiya Janata Party – a Hindu nationalist party - Nepalese are expecting that the new Indian government under the leadership of seasoned politician Manmohan Singh and an old-hand K. Natwar Singh in South Block will have different outlook on the implementation of Indian foreign policy.

However, The Times of India – which often toes South Block regarding foreign and security issues - on its May 28 issue indicated otherwise.

“In the event of a large scale refugee influx from Nepal as a result of spiraling violence and the near-total break down of law and order, New Delhi could find itself in a situation similar to that in 1971 when Indira Gandhi was forced to intervene in what was to become Bangladesh,” writes Times of India on its column of counter view. “India can ill-afford to let this state of dangerous drift continue. Apart from its strategic concerns, New Delhi also has to take into account the interest of the large Indian community living and doing business in Nepal.”

On the view column, regarding the Nepalese crisis raises crucial questions for India; the newspaper opines that India should not intervene on Nepal’s internal matter. Sandwiched between two Asian Powers India and China, Nepal is strategically in very vulnerable positions. Intervention of any neighbor would have far reaching consequences in the end.

“India must help the process along, perhaps by nudging Nepal's political parties and the King towards a UN-mediated solution. India must tread the thin line between firm persuasion and intervention. No nation, however small, takes kindly to bullies,” writes the Times of India. “However, India and Nepal share an open border across which arms and insurgents' ideological baggage can travel. Apart, it is better to have peaceful, prosperous neighbors than ones riddled with domestic violence. India, the first democracy of the post-colonial era and still the world's largest, should promote greater representation of popular aspirations in Nepal. “

Expressions of Chinese officials - who have been stressing that Nepal can solve present crisis on its own – is an indication of what would be their reaction in case of any intervention or third party meditation.

At a time when there has been a return of nationalist secular democratic forces in India under the leadership of Congress, there are hopes that the tranquility and peace will prevail in Nepal and the region.

Every country pursues its foreign policy to defend its own interest but the fascist forces and democratic forces have different outlooks in the way they conduct foreign policies. Whoever rules in India, they do not seem to have difference of opinion on foreign policy but the outlook of executing the policy would be slightly different between a nationalist religious fundamentalist party and a democratic nationalist.

“Indian external affairs minister Natwar Singh, a well known scholar, is a nationalist as well as a democrat. Unlike fundamentalist nationalists, the democrat nationalist would definitely have different approach,” said a foreign relation expert. “As a nationalist he has to protect and promote Indian interest and it is foolish to expect him to protecting our interest but one can hope that he would discourage violent forces in the countries like Nepal.”

Although hawkish and moderate opinions are brewing in India regarding the relations with Nepal, Singh has to show that the persuasion will be more effective than coercion in protecting the long-term interest of both the countries.