Neighbour not to miss the bus yet again
New system in the offing

Nepal’s inability to form a government for 23 successive days has offered globe a strange kind of political system.

The system, democratic it is, without a government, no parliament, no people’s representative.

The system, undemocratic it is, with demonstrations allowed, fighting between leaders allowed, press free to express partisan views allowed, all applicants to apply for the PM seat also allowed.

Above listed were some of the features of the Nepali democracy or no-democracy.

Good opportunity for political scientists to advocate all over the world, this strange system in the offing could prove more democratic than the one in practice world over.

Failed State

Is Nepal a failed state? This jumbo question is troubling all scholars here in Nepal. Several think they have already proved it right? Some still believe it is not the case.

Then how do we define a failed state?

How about this?

1. Accepted as an independent state by all other states.

2. But there are more than one government running in parallel.

3. The legitimate government has no control over their own territory.

4. And have a very weak or non-existent domestic sovereignty.

5. Even those who accept of the nationhood are reluctant to intervene

Is it the domestic sovereignty or is it the state, which is unable to provide jobs, education and development for their own people categorize sufficiently, what a failed state is?

Another important question is who has the right to define it?   Even if a country is in a state of underdevelopment or even disorder, do other countries have the right to interfere?  Does even the United Nations, have that right and if so under what specific circumstances? Maoists want UN mediation. The mistrust against the warring sides could force the UN to mediate. But there is no guaranty even if the UN involved solution to the current problem is secured.

Now, it seems to be the last option available in the milieu of being or not being a failed state, at a time when course of the country is still determined by the lust for power.

Neighbor Concern

This jumbo question, Nepal, as a failed state is not just been of a domestic anxiety. This has crossed the southern boundary. Big brother India is also feeling some distress. Can India now afford to remain inactive, considering that Nepal is in a state of virtual civil war? Questions like these pour heavily down in India’s intellectual circles.

But, what is it that India can do in Nepal? India does not want UN mediation. Is it because they want themselves to find a solution for the Himalayan Crisis?

Or, are they scared? UN mediation in Nepal could open the door for the UN to penetrate into the South Asian affairs, India included, where a never-ending conflict-persists to which India has strong reservations.

But in the past several occasions India alone has failed as it has tried to seek solutions for troubled neighbors and they themselves had to suffer. For example, the Sri-Lankan conflict took heavy toll for India, the creation of Bangladesh though temporarily brought happiness to the Indian establishment, in the long run proved wrong. As predicted by Jhulfikar Ali Bhutto, the then Prime Minister of Pakistan, "By creating Bangladesh, India has created another Pakistan", still holds true as anti-Indian slogans win elections in Bangladesh as well.

All these could determine what could be the India’s role in solving the Himalayan crisis. Or, India can remain aloof from it by focusing more on building relations with Washington or the European Union, which would certainly bring immense economic benefit to India.

"Turning the foreign policy spotlight on the SAARC nations will ensure surely India will miss the bus yet again"- The Times of India. This amply hints India’s failure in maintaining good relations with the neighbours. But for Nepal, to remain in India’s good will is very important.

Certainly the new Indian Foreign Minster Mr. Natwar Singh’s forth coming Nepal visit will bring some signals, which will determine future course of the Nepali politics.

The author can be reached at niraj_aryal@hotmail.com

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