Untold tale of Natwar’s visit

Nepal-India relations have remained excellent since time immemorial. Equally true is the hard reality that it has never remained smooth. Our multidimensional relations have at one time or the other in the past suffered serious set backs due to Nepali weaknesses and the extra ambitions of the other side. The sum total is that both the countries have compromised each other keeping in mind the dictum that friends could be changed but not the neighbors. It is this compromise reluctantly agreed upon by both the countries that our relations have been moving forward.

The fact is that Nepal-India relations could have served as a model for other neighboring countries to adopt had we been able to act in that spirit. Instead our respected and honored neighbor always took Nepal as a country under its belly and expected that this country toed a line that every time suited to its neighbors’ political interests. It is this clash of interests on a variety of matters that have marred our relations from becoming a model one.

It is not only Nepal that has been feeling the brunt of its great neighbor. Smaller neighbors bordering India would also tell the same tale of their sufferings that has become a regular feature and the smaller neighbors apparently have compromised with their fate. Neighbors can’t be changed.

Indian foreign minister Natwar Singh just a few days back completed his two-day Nepal visit. Let’s not suspect his pious intentions for having made Nepal his first foreign trip upon assuming the post of the foreign minister of a new government in India. However, what is important to note is that why he chose to come to Nepal when the host country had not even a government not to talk of a personality who could greet him at the airport? Add to this the political instability in the host country and a myriad of political hotchpotch that prevailed here for long too did not deter Natwar Singh from materializing his visit? What could have been the reason?

Mr. Singh’s visit must have been primarily guided by the Indian desire that a strong and politically stable Nepal were in its own interests. Secondly, the Indian establishment could have concluded that the Nepali insurgency if were allowed to expand as it is today might have its spillover effects in her own territory. Thirdly, the visit could have been made to sound Nepali authorities that India will not appreciate if the former in any way invited the United Nations System to sort out its conflict with the Maoists. The Indian mindset has been that if the UN sneaks into Nepal in one pretext or the other, it would have its impact on their country for India is also beset with countless insurgencies who could seek the UN mediation for themselves. Fourthly, India is in need of electrical energy and water both which Nepal possesses in abundance and hence this visit could have been made to indicate the Nepali establishment that India was ready to buy power and water provided Nepal accepted the cost offered by the other side. Fifthly, Indian foreign minister Mr. Singh could have come here to convince Nepal that henceforth India will remain susceptible to Nepali concerns and that the new Indian establishment will not behave its small neighbor in a 1989 manner. This presumably is being done to secure continued sympathies from smaller friends like Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives that she compellingly needs to get herself recognized as a "regional power". And finally, Natwar Singh should have come to Kathmandu to indicate the high placed Nepali authorities that India will appreciate Nepal and her leaders if they could minimize the increasing influence of the United States of America in Nepali state of affairs. The fact is that India has been apprehensive of the US interests in Nepal especially on matters related to the insurgency.

All put together, the visit was loaded with political agendas. The unfolding political events will tell the impact of the visit. Nevertheless the fact is that India can win the hearts of her smaller neighbors if she becomes a little bit magnanimous. A friendship based on coercion is certainly different than a friendship free from any strings attached. The day India understands this point, smaller neighbors will rush to her support and help and that too unconditionally. But the million-dollar question is that when India will understand the psyche of her small neighbors.

Be that as it may, let’s hope that Mr. Singh’s visit will open new vistas of cooperation in between the two countries. Congratulations to the new Indian establishment in Delhi.

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