Q. Discussing the recent developments in the India-Nepal relation, highlight major factors affecting the relationship between the two countries.
Ans:
India-Nepal relations bilateral relations initiated with the 1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship and and an agreement governing both bilateral trade and trade transiting Indian territory. These treaties and agreements led to cementing a very “special relationship” between India and Nepal. The Nepal-India relations, often described in textbooks as “unique”, “time-tested” and cemented by “common heritage, culture, civilisation, history and geography”. However, recent developments have highlighted the issues in this special relationship.
The recent developments in the India-Nepal relation:
- The territorial dispute between India and Nepal has resurfaced when Nepal protest against a newly built Indian road in Uttarakhand. On the day the road was inaugurated, there was an outcry in Nepal.
- The Nepal Foreign Ministry issued a statement expressing disappointment over New Delhi’s “unilateral” act, which it said, went against the spirit of the bilateral understanding.
- The Indian envoy in Kathmandu was summoned by the Nepal Foreign Ministry.
- Some in India ask why Nepal was silent through the time that the road was being built, and has objected to it now.
- But Kathmandu has pointed out that it has brought up its concerns on the border issue several times, including in November 2019, when Delhi put out its new political map of India to show the bifurcation of Jammu & Kashmir.
- Nepal’s objection then was the inclusion of Kalapani in the map, in which it is shown as part of Uttarakhand. The area falls in the trijunction between India, China and Nepal.
- The publication of the map brought protesters out on the streets. The ruling Nepal Communist Party and the opposition Nepali Congress also protested.
- The Nepal government described India’s decision as “unilateral” and claimed that it would “defend its international border”, while the Ministry of External Affairs then said that map “accurately reflects the sovereign territory of India”.
- Constitutional amendment to change new political map that claimed strategically important land Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh of Uttarakhand as part of its sovereign territory.
- The map is in retaliation of Nepal’s objection to construction of road by India from Dharchula to Lipulekh in Uttarakhand, up to Lipu Lekh pass.
- India termed recent action by Nepal as a `unilateral act’ which is not based on historical facts and evidence and also stated that these areas have always been part of the Indian Territory.
- Also, after the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir, India had published a new map in November 2019, which showed the region of Kalapani as part of the Indian territory. The new map—and the consequent objection from Nepal—brought forth the unresolved border disputes between the two countries.
- And in 2020, the Nepal government led by K P Sharma Oli introduced a constitutional amendment which made changes to the Nepali map.
- China and Nepal signed agreements for all-weather road connectivity between Kathmandu and the Tibet Autonomous Region.
- The growing influence of China in Nepal has resulted in declining traditional leverage of India in Nepal.
- However, there are some positive developments too:
- Last year, in the fourth IndiaNepal coordination meeting held between Indian border guarding force Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and its Nepalese counterpart Armed Police Force (APF), the Nepal’s Armed Police Force (APF) has assured India, cooperation in checking doubtful “third country” operatives on its soil.
- India and Nepal have also successfully concluded the ‘testing transfer’ of the Motihari-Amlekhgunj oil pipeline.
- India Nepal recently inaugurated 2nd integrated check post at Jogbani (Bihar)– Biratnagar (Nepal).
- The first was at Raxaul, Bihar.
- Nepal has approved the Serum Institute of India’s (SII) Covishield vaccine in order to fight the Covid-19 pandemic in the country. India has also prioritised the vaccine supply in Nepal vis-a-vis other countries.
- Both nations discussed the review of the Peace and Friendship Treaty of 1950. The review was recommended by the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) constituted by the Prime Ministers of both countries in 2016.
- India is to build two cultural heritage projects in Nepal on the ‘Pashupatinath Riverfront Development’ and the ‘Bhandarkhal Garden Restoration in Patan Durbar’ through grant assistance.
The major factors affecting the relationship between the two countries:
- Border issues:
- Internal Security is a major concern for India; Indo-Nepal border is virtually open and lightly policed which is exploited by terrorist outfits and insurgent groups from North Eastern part of India eg. supply of trained cadres, fake Indian currency.
- The disagreements between India and Nepal over the border dispute is over the regions which includes Kalapani, Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura (all three in Uttarakhand) and Susta (Bihar).
- Kalapani area is the largest territorial dispute between Nepal and India consisting of at least 37,000 hectares of land in the High Himalayas.
- It is a tri-junction between India, China and Nepal which is of strategic significance in South Asian diplomacy.
- Susta in Bihar is on the banks of River Gandak. The changing course of River Gandak often created issue between two countries
- Nepal considers the 1816 Treaty of Sugauli (signed between Gurkha rulers of Kathmandu and the East India Company) as the only authentic document on boundary delineation.
- Under the provisions of the Sugauli Treaty river Mechi became the eastern border with India while the river Kali (called Mahakali in Nepal) was demarcated as the north-western border.
- The Treaty of Sagauli also defined Gandak as the international boundary between India and Nepal.
- Nepal considers the source of Kali river near Limpiyadhura, which is higher in altitude than the rest of the river’s flow. Thus, all the three areas Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani are considered to the east of the river Kali.
- India on the other hand says the border begins at Kalapani which India says is where the river begins.
- Kali originates in springs well below the Lipulekh pass, and the Sugauli treaty does not demarcate the area north of these streams.
- Administrative and revenue records going back to the nineteenth century show that Kalapani was on the Indian side.
- India has controlled this territory since 1950s and built other infrastructure here before, besides conducting its administration and deploying military forces up to the border pass with China.
- China in 2015 statement also recognised India’s sovereignty over the area by agreeing to expand trade through the Lipulekh pass.
- India on the other hand says the border begins at Kalapani which India says is where the river begins.
- China factor: The recent political map issued by the Nepal Government is seen to be the influence of China due to the two Communist governments and emerging close relations between them.
- China opening port facilities to Nepal and providing access to Trans Himalayan Railway reduces Nepal’s dependency on India and reduces the leverage that India has with the Nepal to settle the dispute.
- The growing influence of China in Nepal has resulted in declining traditional leverage of India in Nepal.
- Nepal internal politics: also pose problems as political parties flip from pro-India positions to anti-India positions. e.g. The communist parties in Nepal is inclined towards China and at times takes anti-India stand.
- Cultural factor:
- There is a deep civilisational bond and people to people connectivity between the two nations. Majority of population in both the country has same religion. These factors has positive influence on the bilateral relation.
- Trade: India is Nepal’s largest trade partner and the largest source of foreign investments, besides providing transit for almost entire third country trade of Nepal.
- India accounts for over two-thirds of Nepal’s merchandise trade, about one-third of trade in services, one-third of foreign direct investments, almost 100% of petroleum supplies, and a significant share of inward remittances on account of pensioners, professionals and workers working in India.
- Total bilateral trade in 2018-19 reached INR 57,858 cr (US$ 8.27 bn).
- Overtime trust deficit has widened between India-Nepal because of the Indian reputation for delaying implementation of various projects.
- There is anti-India feeling among certain ethnic groups in Nepal which emanates from the perception that India indulges too much in Nepal and tinkers with their political sovereignty.
- Geographical factor: despite increasing connectivity of Nepal with China, the geography of the region is such that China can never be a substitute of India for Nepal. Nepal will continue to depend on India for its connectivity with the rest of world.
Nepal cannot dispense with its reliance on India. India is and will remain vital for the country in many ways. However going forward, India must address the concerns among some sections in India about alleged big brotherly attitude of India while not compromising with the territorial sovereignty. India must introduce new economic, developmental and infrastructure initiatives with Nepal that will not only bring tangible benefits to Nepali citizens but also address the vulnerabilities that will emerge in Nepal as the country engages with China. To address the borders issues, a Joint Boundary Demarcation Committee could be appointed by both the countries to scientifically study the Maps and come to a conclusion diplomatically.
