Categories: Opinion

Understanding Nepalese PM Oli and his antics

Published by

Nepalese move could have been made at “someone else’s” behest.

It has been an open secret that KPS Oli leans on China not just for ideological but also political support. But few knew that the Nepalese Prime Minister was an expert virologist. This revelation came a few days ago when he authoritatively said that the Coronavirus strain coming from India was more lethal than that of China. While observers scratch their heads to find out exactly where Oli got this bit of critical information and the scientific material that he has to have made this astounding claim, the timing and the context in which the remark was made is more important.

The Nepalese Prime Minister’s statement came in the midst of Kathmandu upping the ante over a border issue with India. Nepal released a new political map that showed Lipulekha Pass and Kalapani as part of that country. India strongly objected to the claim, calling it “cartographical assertion” and “artificial enlargement of territorial claims”, pointing out that these areas fell squarely within Indian territory. Indian Army chief, General MM Naravane dismissed Nepalese claims, alleging that the Nepalese move could have been made at “someone else’s” behest. He was clearly hinting at China.

Oli’s government not just slapped its claim on the territories firmly in India’s jurisdiction but also unilaterally published a new political map that showcased these regions as part of Nepal.

No need for Nepal to have provoked India by suddenly publishing a new political map.

The Nepalese government was naturally outraged at the insinuation, but it ought not to overreact to truth. Even before Oli became Prime Minister, he was seen as being very close to the Chinese. There were reports that Beijing played a role in ensuring that he became the Prime Minister. Since then, Oli had repeatedly tried to bait New Delhi and please China. More recently, the Chinese leadership is said to have brokered peace in the faction-ridden communist party which rules in Kathmandu. Two of the senior-most leaders of the party, Madhav Kumar Nepal and Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, had raised a banner of revolt against the Prime Minister’s style of functioning. When there appeared a real possibility of the rift going out of hand and threatening the survival of the government, China stepped in and placated the rebel leaders.

But both Beijing and Oli realized that the peace was fragile and steps were needed to cement his position. And what better way to do so than to whip up anti-India sentiments in Nepal! There was no way that either Madhav Kumar Nepal or Prachanda would side with New Delhi or against Oli when it came to Nepal’s ‘sovereign interests’. Thus, Oli’s government not just slapped its claim on the territories firmly in India’s jurisdiction but also unilaterally published a new political map that showcased these regions as part of Nepal. This left Prachanda and Madhav Kumar with little space to manoeuvre. Nepal and India have a dialogue mechanism in place and leaders of the two countries are in constant touch with one another. There was no need for Nepal to have provoked India by suddenly publishing a new political map.

Why did Nepal act in Coronavirus pandemic on the backdrop of the border row?

Oli has brushed aside the accusation of acting at China’s behest and sought to project the allegation as an insult to the people of Nepal. Can he explain why he made the entirely inappropriate and unnecessary comparison between India and China on the Coronavirus pandemic in the backdrop of the border row? Clearly, it was meant to please Beijing, and that too at a time when the latter faces a global backlash for its mishandling of the disease and its spread.

India-bashing is an old and tested tool that Nepal’s elite policymakers have used when it suited their domestic political purposes. Members of the country’s erstwhile royal family did it, and the communists have indulged in it too. Ironically, at various times, both the royalty and the communists fell back on India to support them whenever they faced a crisis at home. For decades, the monarchy prevailed in Nepal, and one of the important reasons for that was because New Delhi supported it. However, King Gyanendra had to abdicate the throne in the mid-2000s after New Delhi made its displeasure known on his style of anti-democratic functioning and his disregard for Indian advice.

India managed to strike an agreement with the Maoists and the Nepali Congress, underlining that they needed to accept each other in the democratic political space to end the monarchy.

When Prachanda first became Prime Minister in 2008

Oli cannot have forgotten that the Maoists of his country got a permanent place in the mainstream of Nepal’s politics mainly because of India’s efforts. Keeping aside its wariness over the communists aside, New Delhi had thrown in its lot with them and helped in their transit to the ballot from the bullet. This they did even though the Nepali Congress party, which has traditionally been pro-India, had reservations. India managed to strike an agreement with the Maoists and the Nepali Congress, underlining that they needed to accept each other in the democratic political space to end the monarchy. When Prachanda first became Prime Minister in 2008, it was largely due to the groundwork that India had done.

Prachanda had by then acquired the image of being a hardliner, but to his credit, he has mellowed down with time, even seeking to become some sort of a statesman. It cannot be said that China no longer influences him, but at least he is more of a pragmatist who understands the necessity of not rocking the India-Nepal relationship. Oli, on the other hand, has gone from bad to worse in the Indian context.

So how does New Delhi handle the situation from here on?

First, it must not succumb to the temptation of over-reacting, because over-reaction will help in consolidating disparate elements in the Nepalese political and academic ecosystem against ‘big brother’ India. New Delhi can, theoretically, do a lot to harm Nepalese interests. It can close its open borders with Nepal and introduce all sorts of restrictions. But such moves will give leverage to China to further step up its interventions in Nepal, which would not be in Indian interests. Second, India must not wade into the internal politics of Nepal; let the Maoists settle their differences internally— if they cannot and the so-called unified communist party implodes, so be it.

Finally, India must retain faith in the deep-rooted people-to-people ties that India and Nepal share. They cannot be destroyed through political interventions, though they can be set back to some extent. Kathmandu must realize that China is too far off geographically to be an effective replacement for India when it comes to the crunch. And yes, the communist party is not God-ordained to rule Nepal forever.

Note:
1. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.

Rajesh Singh

Rajesh Singh is a Delhi-based senior political commentator and public affairs analyst

View Comments

  • One needs to see theactual running of the International border. Till yesterday there was no problem. Why suddenly. Opening chinese route to their landlocked country appear to be in their interest.Things will become more clearer in coming days. There is no doubt that the economic & political infiltration of China into Nepal is already over. we did not wake up at the right time. It is for us to cement the relations with Nepal by ensuring intake of Neplise in our army; more in terms of aid; experet advice; easing out economic problems; making digital Nepal; more aiding of infrastructure projects; industrialisation & security. We need to be pro active as India & Nepal have many common factors as compared to China or Pak.

    • Nepal's economy gobbled up by India is what you mean if you look at the numbers. Did you do a proper research on the current numbers before talking?

  • Like Tibetans, average Nepalis are quite calm and easy going. The local economy thrives more from tourism industry supported by international, Buddhist tourists interested in Himalayan expedition besides an huge influx of Indians from all over India flocking to get a glimpse of Kailash, Mansarovar, Muktinath in huge numbers. Opening of the Lipulekh pass route deprives Indians going through Nepal to Kailash, Manasarovar. China will eventually gobble Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and wipe out Hindu, Buddhist ways of life as they entice the Nepalis with cheap goodies. Little do Nepalis and Pakis realize that when the economic take over is complete, they will be squeezed and crushed just like how they treat Tibetans now as slaves since they are forced to do away with their rich culture, heritage, moral, ethical and valuable spiritual practices. Communism, my foot, there is no true Karl Marx, it is all Opportunism, exploitation and aggression by the draconian CCP warlords.

    • "China will eventually gobble Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and wipe out Hindu, Buddhist ways of life as they entice the Nepalis with cheap goodies."
      The world is being gobbled up by China and you talk about Nepal. Do you realize your country being gobbled by congress? Say thanks to Dr.Swami for taking some stance to protect the culture. India has injured itself by wiping out the Hindu Monarchy in Nepal, ask Sonia Gandhi about it.
      I do agree that communism in Nepal is good for none. When you fight with your own brother you are doing harm to your own family. In south India itself huge villages after villages that were converted decades ago have forgotten their identity and are converted to Christianity.
      This is where I say fighting with your own brother is doing harm to your own family. The sheer ridiculousness of Indian media on potraying Nepal as playing hands in the chinese as it didnt suit it needs is shameful. Until we have the brotherly love emotion for each other nothing is going anywhere. This is the case for both Nepal and India.

  • So whenever Nepal speaks up about any sort of injustice then it’s either on the behest of China or India? Technically greater Nepal extends beyond the current boundary past even dehradun in the west. This is not what we are claiming. The problem with your argument is that even if one were to say ok the boundary is at the second stream which Your government claims it is, then why is the Indian army outpost on the eastern bank of said river?
    It’s interesting how you claim you are some sort of scholar but clearly your arguments are only meant to stir up Indian sentiment.

      • Because we aren't Arnab Goswami. We are Hindus. We are supposed to be Brothers. Not ignite hate. India has started its aggressive foreign stance on Nepal ever since the blockade India imposed in Nepal after the devastating earthquake in 2015.
        India can release its map without consulting Nepal and when India doesn't listen to Nepal on such issues and keeps ignoring Nepal, Nepal is bound to release its map as well. And if Nepal does so it is Nepal acting under China's interest? If you think Nepal is a brother act like a brother. Indian news channels have been comparing Nepal and India. Nepal and India are brothers, we both have the same civilization but India should learn how to treat their brother. Nepal doesn't compare to India in terms of finance and military it doesn't but doesn't mean you can start bullying your so brothers. That being said Mr.Modi's leadership in India is x100 better than Congress. But Modi's foreign policy is failing him. India needs Subramanian Swamy.

Recent Posts

PM Modi, in conversation with Bill Gates, says India achieved democratization of technology to help people in rural parts of the country

PM Modi, Bill Gates interact on AI, climate change, women empowerment, Deepfake issue In an…

4 hours ago

Evidence proves link between Moscow attack terrorists and Ukraine, says Russia

Russia claims Ukraine behind Moscow attack Russian Investigative Panel said that it has found evidence…

5 hours ago

An invitation to the Gods to Sin

Ayahuasca: Sacred Amazonian plant medicine Heaven is for luxuriating, Hell is for regretting and Earth…

6 hours ago

MHA extends AFSPA in parts of Arunachal and Nagaland for 6 months

MHA took the step following a review of the law-and-order situation in Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh…

18 hours ago

Controversial police officer Sanjiv Bhatt convicted for 20 years for planting narcotics to arrest an Advocate in 1996

In a second conviction, sacked IPS Sanjiv Bhatt was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for…

20 hours ago

This website uses cookies.