New Delhi: The meeting of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of Nepal scheduled for 8th July has been postponed again in order to find an amicable solution of the impasse thus giving another short reprieve to Khadga Prasad Sharma 'Oli', Nepal’s Prime Minister.
Amid the growing tension between India and Nepal, seemingly instigated by China, the latter’s actions are rightly perceived by the masses and Nepali politicians as a blatant interference in its internal affairs by China.
The Indian Government has also been blamed by the opposition for failure of its foreign policy to sustain the centuries’ old best relations with Nepal, characterised by Roti- Beti (relation of bread and matrimony). This accusation is baseless. No two neighbours, like no two family members, can sustain the same degree of relations forever. Tensions between them are likely to erupt sometimes depending on the prevailing circumstances.
India and Nepal are no exceptions. During the monarchy, Nepali kings kept accusing India of trying to topple them in favour of democracy. This reached a crescendo in 1975 when, afraid of meeting the fate of Sikkim, Nepal proposed to be declared a “zone of peace” with no military competition on its soil.
While China and Pakistan, grabbing this opportunity to impress Nepal, readily signed such agreements, India refused on the grounds that there was already a comprehensive Peace and Friendship Treaty between the two nations.
Refusal of Nepal to renew the treaty in 1988 led to simmering tensions resulting in a sort of economic blockade of Nepal, to be resolved only in 1991 with signing of two separate treaties. A similar situation presented itself in 2015 when the amendment in Nepali constitution angered the Madhesi population (people of Indian origin settled in Nepali plains).
However, the current crisis is due to Indo- Nepal border disputes which has its genesis in the British India- Nepal treaty signed in Sugauli in 1816 defining Nepal’s western border up to the origin of river kali and here lies the point of dispute. While India perceives that Kali originates near Lipulekh pass, Nepal contends that it’s origin is further west near Limpiadhura, thus laying its claim over a part of Uttarakhand.
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Oli, a second timer PM, hastened to get a revised Nepali map passed by the Parliament in order to divert the attention of his people from the rampant corruption and countrywide criticism on his unusually intimate relations with the Chinese Ambassador Ms. Hou Yanqui. His reluctance to vacate the post for the other party Co-Chairman Prachand despite such an understanding has eroded Oli’s support base in the party.
