India and China's Tug of War over Nepal

Why in news?

China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is planning to hold its first-ever joint military exercise with Nepal.

What is the status of India-Nepal relations?

India is the largest supplier of military hardware to the Nepali Army.
Since 1950, it has been a custom for the two countries to confer honors on each other’s army chiefs,
This signifies the close military-to-military ties between the two countries.
Chinese military assistance to Nepal has significantly increased in recent years.
But this is the first time that China has proposed a joint military exercise and Nepal accepted.
The development came as Nepal is proposing to change some provisions of the 1950 Peace and Friendship Treaty with India.
The treaty states that Nepal needs to inform or receive consent from India when it purchases military hardware from other countries.
Nepal wants to change such provisions and make independent decisions on security issues, including the purchase of military equipment.

How Chinese influence grew?

For the long time, India enjoyed almost exclusive influence in Nepal.
But after the abolition of monarchy in 2008 China has increased their influence in Nepal, mainly on political matters.
Relationship of India and Nepal strained during India’s interference in the Nepal’s constitution making
After accusations of a blockade at the Nepal-India border, Nepal relied on China to meet its everyday essential needs.
The tensions between Nepal and India provided room for China to increase its influence in all areas of Nepal, including in politics.
Similarly, several joint Nepal-China infrastructure development projects, including the expansion of railways and road connectivity, gained momentum.

What is the new development?

India sees the recent announcement of military exercise as China encroachment in India’s backyard.
India wants to maintain Nepal as its “sphere of influence” while China wants to increase its influence.
India sees this as not only related to trade and commerce, but a part of China’s larger strategy to encircle it in South Asia.

What should be done?

There is no reason that India should worry about a Nepal-China military exercise.
China is not the only country conducting such drills with Nepal. e.g Nepal-U.S. military drill.
India has no right to say that Nepal cannot conduct military exercises with another partner.
Nepal has the sovereign right to make that decision.
India also has its own joint military exercise with China.
Even after NSG issue both countries conducted a 13-day joint military exercise in November 2016.
India’s own experience with China should reassure it that joint exercises are not an indicator of converging strategic interests.
It is unfortunate that Nepal’s government is quickly labeled as either pro-Indian or pro-Chinese.
Nepal should be allowed to build a cordial relationship with both of its neighbors to gain the maximum economic benefits.

Category: Mains | GS-II | India & its neighborhood

Source: The Diplomat