India & Nepal
By Dr Arvind Kumar
The recent visit of Nepalese Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai to India may prove instrumental in further cementing the bonds of friendship between New Delhi and Kathmandu. By connecting with the largest political party in Nepal headed by Bhattarai, India can improve its image of being often seen as being involved in machinations against the Nepali Maoists, and as displaying a big brotherly attitude towards Kathmandu. Undoubtedly some hardline factions within the party remain somewhat wary and hostile towards India. The time is more than ripe for India to do its part in improving its image.
The political impasse in Nepal was broken by the appointment of Bhattarai as Prime Minister, and the political class now needs to get on with the crucial task of writing the Constitution through the Constituent Assembly. Helping Nepal achieve that goal, without being seen to be partisan vis-a-vis Nepal’s complex internal dynamics should be New Delhi’s guiding principle. Bhattarai’s recent four-day visit to India came with quite a reputation. Not only is he seen to have been one of the key architects of the Maoist insurgency, but also of the remarkable transition to democratic politics of his party, which radically altered Nepal’s political landscape. Having been sworn in as PM after a long period of squabbling between political parties, he is also seen as a statesman best suited to guide Nepal out of instability.
His welcome remarks on reducing the trust deficit with India, the stress on seeking to expand mutual trade, while underlining that his country has the closest economic ties with India, are in keeping with his reputation as a pragmatist. India should go the extra mile in reciprocating to Nepal’s overtures in a suitable manner.
