Stabilizing ties with Nepal in Uncertain times

NEWS HIGHLIGHT 

Theme :  Bilateral, regional and global grouping involving India, Significance of Indo-Pacific for India etc
Paper:GS-2

The electoral verdict in Nepal’s recent elections reflected a clear emergence of voter preference for more responsive governance.

TABLE OF CONTENT

1. Context
2. India-Nepal Ties
3. India-Nepal Border Dispute
4. Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950?
5. India’s stand on Nepal
6. Stand of Nepal
7. Road Ahead

Context : The electoral verdict in Nepal’s recent elections reflected a clear emergence of voter preference for more responsive governance

India-Nepal Ties : 

• Nepal occupies a special significance in India’s foreign policy because of the geographic, historical, cultural and economic linkages/ties that span centuries.
• India and Nepal share similar ties in terms of Hinduism and Buddhism with Buddha’s birthplace Lumbini located in present day Nepal.
• The two countries have close bonds through marriages and familial ties, popularly known as Roti-Beti ka Rishta.
• The India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950 forms the bedrock of the special relations that exist between India and Nepal.

India-Nepal Border Dispute : 

• Currently, India and Nepal have border disputes over Kalapani - Limpiyadhura - Lipulekh trijunction between India-Nepal and China and Susta area (West Champaran district, Bihar).
• Kalapani Region:
• Kalapani is a valley that is administered by India as a part of the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. It is situated on the Kailash Mansarovar route.Kalapani is advantageously located at a height of over 20,000 ft and serves as an observation post for that area.
• The Kali River in the Kalapani region demarcates the border between India and Nepal.The Treaty of Sugauli signed by the Kingdom of Nepal and British India (after Anglo-Nepalese War) in 1816 located the Kali River as Nepal's western boundary with India.
• The discrepancy in locating the source of the Kali river led to boundary disputes between India and Nepal, with each country producing maps supporting their own claims.

Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950?

• The treaty talks about the reciprocal treatment of Indian and Nepali citizens in the two countries, in residence, property, business and movement.
• It establishes national treatment for both Indian and Nepalese businesses (i.e., once imported, foreign goods would be treated no differently than domestic goods).
• Weaponry access: It also gives Nepal access to weaponry from India.

India’s stand on Nepal : 

• Dealing with political instability in Nepal
• Frequent changes of government
• Reputedly anti-India or pro-China leaders heading them.
• Non-partisan support for inclusive economic development, interdependence, communication links, people-to-people contacts
• Building on the compulsive logic of economic complementarities, especially in hydropower
• Linkages of history, geography, culture, religion, and economy with Nepal
• Facilitate management of its security concerns within tolerable limits.

Stand of Nepal : 

• New government adopting a policy of “equi-proximity” with India and China.
• Ultranationalist leaders have on occasions question senseless opposition to India.
• Example: Mr. Oli questioned the demand from his own party to oppose ratification of the Mahakali Treaty a few years ago.
• Public opinion in Nepal is alert to:
• The reality of Chinese intentions
• The risks of falling into a debt trap
• Limitations in terms of Chinese capacities in comparison to India’s.

Road Ahead : 

• The worldview of the East India Company or British India should not be the determinant guide in shaping perceptions or policies, when people on both sides of an open border are awaiting a better quality of life.
• India and Nepal are uniquely positioned, because of the breadth and depth of ties between them, to jointly rethink economic governance with a view to enhancing human welfare.
• There are huge challenges but also huge opportunities in expanding and diversifying cooperation to mutual advantage.
• It is the time for fresh thinking on a host of issues, including: economic recovery; bilateral, sub-regional and regional cooperation; restructuring supply chains; human as well as conventional security; energy cooperation; development, people-to-people contacts etc.

FAQs : 

1. Which Treaty forms the bedrock for India-Nepal Ties?

ANS. The India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950 forms the bedrock of the special relations that exist between India and Nepal.

2. What are the dispute areas between India & Nepal?

ANS. 

• Currently, India and Nepal have border disputes over Kalapani - Limpiyadhura - Lipulekh trijunction between India-Nepal and China and Susta area (West Champaran district, Bihar).
• Kalapani Region:
• Kalapani is a valley that is administered by India as a part of the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. It is situated on the Kailash Mansarovar route.Kalapani is advantageously located at a height of over 20,000 ft and serves as an observation post for that area.
• The Kali River in the Kalapani region demarcates the border between India and Nepal.The Treaty of Sugauli signed by the Kingdom of Nepal and British India (after Anglo-Nepalese War) in 1816 located the Kali River as Nepal's western boundary with India.
• The discrepancy in locating the source of the Kali river led to boundary disputes between India and Nepal, with each country producing maps supporting their own claims.