Despite the fact that Nepal has a large population of Hindu religion, Nepal’s growing inclination towards China is a matter of concern for India
The cultures and traditions in the Himalayan region have always been propagated, largely following the laws and principles of nature and thus has remained from the very begum mind, the centre of highest humanitarian values. From a historical viewpoint, if one study and analyse the socio-cultural situation of India, China, Tibet, Nepal and other neighbouring regions of Buddhist era then it will be evident that it is the culture of the Himalayan region which has been acknowledged as the Oriental culture.
The firmness, purity and the vast heritage of the Himalayan culture have always inspired the people of this belt to lead a life of highest values. Lack of mechanical form of transport never became an impediment in the spread of the philosophical teachings of Lord Buddha to various countries of Asia situated, both near and far, from India. Philosophy of Buddha was highly acceptable in the countries like Japan, Sri Lanka, Burma, Afghanistan and Thailand, as a result of which humanity was enriched with highest forms of human values like non-violence (ahimsa), compassion(Daya), empathy (Samaanubhuti), modesty (Vinay) and wisdom (Gyaan).
King Mahendra played the “China card” several times for this, due to which China gave a lot of aids and grants to Nepal around 1960.
It is this culture ingrained with such high values is what may be termed as Right-Wing ideology by the so-called communists of today. These self-proclaimed communists who not only regard Mao Zedong as the greatest ideologue of modern times but also perceive the Maoist form of governance as the best form of the welfare system of governance. They also go on to perceive those who have faith and belief in the Aryan Culture of India as dogmatic, superstitious and reactionary. In independent India, these so-called communists have created so much social anarchy and intolerance that even a peace-loving nation like India is in danger of internal conflicts due to this horde of left-wing ideologues. They narrowly view that the problems would only aggravate in the Indian sub-continent by the Coronavirus invented by China. The followers of Mao (China) have been successful in engulfing Tibet and today the nationalist citizens of Tibet are forced to lead a life of displaced refugees.
If you look at the world map, it is found that after getting captured by the invasion of Tibet, it has become more possible for China to come closer to Nepal. Now Nepal finds itself surrounded between China and India. Despite the fact that Nepal has a large population of Hindu religion, Nepal’s growing inclination towards China is a matter of concern for India. China has maintained its influence over Nepal in terms of strategic issues. The Nepalese monarchy also started establishing relations with China to reduce India’s dominance. King Mahendra played the “China card” several times for this, due to which China gave a lot of aids and grants to Nepal around 1960. This way China infiltrated India-Nepal relations the infiltration consequently benefited China in strategic areas. It is not that India has provided any small amount of money to Nepal, but after the “incursion” of China, the developments by China in Nepal were quite visible. On the other hand, the projects being carried out by India in Nepal were not completed in time whereas the work done by China in Nepal was of very modern nature. Overall, China has made a large investment in Nepal, all of this was initially possible due to Nepal’s monarchy’s attachment to China. Today, the pandemonium of Nepalese is coming to the fore due to leaders like “Prachanda” in Nepalese politics, and since Nepal has taken a lot of money and grants from China, the Chinese will continue to interfere and Nepal’s “Pauperism” will continue to be a concern for India.
Nepal has today become the “client state” of China. In the year 2005, when India and America stopped giving military assistance to Nepal, China promised to give a million US dollars of military assistance to Nepal. Nearly four years after this, China agreed again to provide military assistance of more than twenty crores rupees to Nepal, this amount was to be used for training and strengthening the army of Nepal. Therefore, it is clear that the growing relationship between Nepal and China can prove to be very dangerous for India.
The way Maoism is dominated in Nepal and the way Nepal-China friendship is growing; Nepal should not be too surprised if tomorrow it goes on the way of Pakistan and North Korea. There is a strong possibility that China will provide space, missile and nuclear technology to Nepal. In times to come, Nepal will prove to be a challenge for India from every point of view. Therefore, it is important for India to make a strong presence in SAARC and ASEAN. At the same time, India should build a strong presence of the Army and Air Force in the Himalayan region and the intentions of China need to be brought to the forefront.
In order to maintain peace and progress in Nepal, the government signed a peace treaty (Comprehensive Peace Agreement) from the Prachanda-led Communist Party of Nepal (MAO) in November 2007. Prachanda was always ideologically inclined towards China and leftist leaders based in India. Prachanda already believed that India never wants Nepal’s development, so from time to time, he keeps on increasing barriers on the border areas. But gradually, Prachanda, the only leftist leader of the time, was diminishing and the Communist Party of Nepal currently ruling was divided into two factions, with the Communist Party of Nepal (UML) being led by the current Prime Minister of Nepal, Oli and Prachanda of the Communist Party of Nepal (Mao) took over. Recently, Nepal got its full constitution in 2015, in this constitution also one will get the impression of the influence of China, about which the people of Nepal and other political parties also protested.
Since for long number of differences on several issues kept on emerging between India and China, it is quite possible that in the near future any kind of instability may arise in Nepal.
Many factions are coming out in the Maoists of Nepal, some are part of the government, some are out of government, among them, the Prime Minister of Nepal, Kharag Prasad Oli (K.P.Oli) has the same thinking as the Chinese leaders. Oli has started talking big things and the Nepalese people are seeing daydreams. The situation in Nepal is also like that of a “broker” who can do anything anywhere in view of his profit and loss in time. The Nepalese people, who were known for their loyalties, have become very clever today. Due to their extreme cunning nature, they will make mistakes but they should not make any big mistake in understanding India. Due to long term “guerrilla-style” war and struggle, the thinking of the Maoists have also become like ” guerrilla thinking.” So these Maoists are basically not friends of anyone. At present, there is no such thing as democracy in Nepal. Recently, during the Corona crisis, the people of Tablighi Jamaat hidden in Nepal were sent to India via Siwan and Bettiah of Bihar.
India’s intelligence agencies have uncovered a conspiracy to spread the Coronavirus in India and the involvement of recently caught “Jalim Miyan” who was found in a mosque based in Nepal. It has also been reported to Nepal’s Ministry of Home Affairs that “Jamaatis” are hidden in the border regions adjoining India, as a result of which both countries have sealed their borders. Now, it is very well understood that Pakistan’s ISI has a strong presence in Nepal but the nexus between China, ISI and Nepal based communists, during the Corona pandemic has to be brought in the daylight. Also, the leftist factions present in Nepal are engaged in degrading each other, due to which there is a possibility of violence between the Maoists on the land of Nepal, the damage will be done to the Nepalis.
Seeing Nepal’s democratic system still in progress, both China and Pakistan started to create political instability in Nepal by tying up with Pakistan’s ISI. In Nepal, the pro-China mentality was gradually supported in a secret manner and thus the progressive Nepalese democracy was eventually extended to the pro-China polity. Religiously as well as culturally, the Nepali public is close and considered to be a sibling to the Indian Hindu public. This is not the case for China or Pakistan, so they do not like it. During the tragedy caused by the huge earthquakes that hit Nepal in the last few years, China has shown a great amount of charity and succeeded in the strategy and later on convinced Nepal that China is a much better friend of Nepal than India, but, in reality, it is not so.
Since the followers of Mao Zedong are also present in Nepal and Pakistan’s ISI is also very active in Nepal, it is quite definite and there are high chances that this kind of liaison can create a lot of instability not only in Nepal but also in the areas of India which share their boundaries with Nepal. Nepal in itself is a small country with India on one side and China on the other. Since for long number of differences on several issues kept on emerging between India and China, it is quite possible that in the near future any kind of instability may arise in Nepal. Rumours are such that the Maoists in Nepal with the help of China have created an army. The present government of Nepal believe in favour of establishing close ties with the Chinese establishment, so in future, there are possibilities of growing interference of China in the internal matters of Nepal. With the passing of time, the Chinese activities within Nepal are on a surge, so before the political affairs of Nepal comes completely under Chinese control, it is quite necessary on the part of India to strengthen its relations with Nepal and make efforts to root out completely any possible presence of Pakistan’s ISI from Nepal. Many activities in China are self- destructive. The leading nations of the world must take the necessary steps to isolate China after the world recovers from the Corona crisis.
Our main concern should be to focus on our fight with the present pandemic of Coronavirus and while making necessary steps to take utmost care of the people of our nation also put diligent effort to save the world humanity. The so-called left-wing ideologues, apart from just studying Marx and Mao, must put genuine efforts to understand the philosophy of other great stalwarts such as Gandhi and Buddha. In the coming future, the trilogy of India, Nepal and Tibet will emerge as a new “knowledge superpower.”
Note:
1. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.
Dr. Kunwar Pushpendra Pratap Singh was born in Varanasi. He completed his Ph.D. in Journalism and Mass Communication from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. He is interested on issues related with the mass media, Hinduism, Pan-Indianism as well as the international relations. He keeps an eye on the developing Indo-Nepal relations. He has more than 15 papers published in National and International Journals and has Participated and Presented Papers in International and National Conferences, was Member of Organizing Committee of International, National and state level seminars, conferences and workshops conducted by Centre for the Study of Nepal, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh . He lives at the holy city Varanasi, India.
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