Priority For Peace

Indian foreign secretary Shyam Saran’s three-day visit hints at a new policy direction: restoration of peace and stability in Nepal as priority

By KESHAB POUDEL

Just a day before arriving for his three-day visit to Nepal, Indian foreign secretary Shyam Saran in his interview to Indian media said that India wants to see prosperous Nepal and Nepal can benefit from the economic progress of India. He went on to say that Nepal – due to its rich hydropower and tourism potentials – could become the richest country in the region.

When Indian foreign secretary was talking about the prospects for economic prosperity of Nepal, seven parties alliance, which recently signed 12-point understanding with the Maoists, were preparing to organize a big rally in the capital on December 15 as a showdown against King Gyanendra’s move to hold the municipal elections.

After the completion of his visit – which saw him engaged in hectic meetings with political leaders including King Gyanendra and senior government officials - Saran appeared relaxed at the time of his departure when he addressed a brief press meeting.

Many so-called Nepalese intellectuals had expressed suspicions that India is not happy with Nepal’s recent policy of moving closer to China and Pakistan but India seems not to have been overly concerned by it.

When Indian foreign secretary arrived in capital, a high-level Chinese delegation led by chief of the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China, Nepal’s northern neighbor was enjoying the high-level official hospitality and the next day Chief of Royal Nepalese Army General Pyara Jung Thapa left for Pakistan.

Asked how India has taken Nepal playing the China card, he said it “would not be helpful for playing either China or India card.” Saran added that since both India and China would like to see peaceful, stable and prosperous Nepal, there should not be any sense of the two countries competing for influence here. Talking about his meeting with the King, Saran said the King told he is committed to multi-party democracy and constitutional monarchy and that there should not be any doubt about it.

“India is concerned about the restoration of peace and economic prosperity in Nepal, and so is China,” said foreign secretary Saran, South Block’s chief mandarin. On the embargo on military assistance, he said that India might resume the supplies after the reconciliation of the national actors in Nepal. “Indian training of Royal Nepalese Army, however, will continue,” said Saran.

Following the February 1 actions of King Gyanendra, Indian government for the first time shifted its policy towards Nepal stressing for the restoration of peace, stability and economic recovery.

It seems to be certain now that the parties’ showdown will fizzle out in the context of India’s declared policy for the restoration of peace, stability and economic recovery in Nepal.

During the press meet, Saran also stressed the need to have reconciliation between the King and the political parties. “In order to confront the challenges this county is facing, the constitutional forces, including the King and political parties should be working together,” said Saran at the press conference.

He emphasized more on restoration of peace and stability in Nepal. “In all my meetings, I have conveyed that the restoration of peace and stability and economic recovery in Nepal is not only in the interest of Nepal but also in India’s interest. India stands ready to support all efforts aimed at brining about a peaceful resolution to the problems confronting Nepal,” said Saran in his written statement distributed to the media.

Saran clearly hinted that India’s policy towards Nepal is guided by security as any kind of chaotic situation in Nepal may have spillover effects in India. King Gyanendra - who dismissed Deuba’s government and took absolute control over the executive power – is also stressing the need to restore the peace in the country before resuming the democratic process.

In the initial stage, India along with the United States, the United Kingdom and other western powers had vehemently opposed King Gyanendra’s actions arguing it as a serious setback to the democratic process in Nepal.

Although some senior Nepalese officials described the visit of Saran, who served as an ambassador to Nepal, as a part of regular meeting, his meeting with all major political actors showed this visit is going to have far-reaching results in bilateral relations.

“The visit of Indian foreign secretary helped to strengthen the relations between the two countries,” said foreign minister Ramesh Nath Pandey after meeting Saran at his residence. “This kind of close consultations is necessary between two close neighbors.”