Nepal made a transition from monarchy to republic in 2006.
Since then, there has been one of uncertainty with the country seeing almost 9 PMs being appointed in as many years.
This has ruined the economy and paralysed the functioning of the government.
The process of drafting a new constitution dragged for long for lack of consensus on critical issues.
What has been India’s Nepal policy?
India played a critical role in bringing the Maoist insurgency in Nepal to an end in 2006.
In the period thereafter, India was alleged of micro-meddling in Nepal’s internal affairs.
Ex: New provincial boundaries were attempted to be demarcated according to Indian interests on behalf of the people of the plains (Madeshis & Janajathis).
The border blockade in the Terai region in 2016, was also suspected to have the support of India.
This attitude of interventionism has backfired of late and hence calls for a course correction.
Chinese Influence -Following the 2015 earthquake, Nepal increasingly looked towards China for assistance.
It is also now better connected to China through air & other intellectual forums than to India.
The Nepal PM’s upcoming visit is an opportunity to set things right.
What are the areas of possible co-operation?
Flood Management -Flooding in the Nepal plains that have also affected downstream areas across the border needs to be addressed.
The Kosi Barrage and attendant embankments have the possibility of wreaking havoc because siltation of six decades has raised the riverbed within the levees far above the outlying tracts.
While it is easy to demand a high dam in the hills of Nepal, it is important to study the other ecologically & socially sustainable alternatives.
Power Purchase - Nepal has since long planned to sell electricity to India once it has a hydropower surplus.
But the Indian government has directed that it will not allow import of electricity other than from power companies with more than 51% Indian equity.
This has to be reviewed.
Monetary & Financial Issues - Demonetisation and GST have affected Nepal’s economy.
Assistance is to be provided for better adaptation.
Border Management - There are border disputes pending between the two countries at Susta, Kalapani, and the ‘tri-junction’ of Lipulekh is another delicate point.
The arbitrary blockages and the selective use of quarantine for the export of Nepali agricultural produce are issues of concern.
A robust border management regime needs to be commissioned.
Migrant Rights - The rights of migrant labours in both the countries is a topic that rarely comes up but could potentially get sensitive in future.
Increasing high-handedness of the Sashastra Seema Bal (India’s frontier force in this sector) in dealing with Nepalese crossing the border needs to change.
