Indo-Nepal border dispute: Need to tread cautiously

New Delhi, May 23: The happenings on the India-Nepal border in the recent past are definitely a worrisome development giving the good cordial relations India enjoyed with its Himalayan neighbor for ages. The Indo-Nepal ties are not new. They have a legacy of thousands of years of diplomatic and cultural relations. But the recent developments are enough to give sleepless nights to Indian leaders.

Just a few days ago the government of Nepal thanked the Indian government for its timely help in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. But this bonhomie was marred by objectional statements from Nepalese leadership on the Indo-Nepal border issue.

The statements came from no less than the Nepalese Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli who staked claim on Indian territory in Uttarakhand bordering Nepal. His statements were a direct hit at the otherwise cordial relations between the two neighbors.

Nepal was a Hindu Nation but later shifted from Monarchy to democracy and declared itself a secular state. The Communists have more influence on Nepal’s political environment and the Nepalese Communists are nurtured and governed by the Chinese Communists and it is an open secret.

The dispute began with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurating 80 km road from Dharchula to Lipulekh in Uttarkhand early this month. This is undisputedly Indian Territory but Nepqal claimed that the road passes through the Nepalese territory.

By convention, such disputes used to be resolved at the diplomatic levels or at political meetings. But this time Nepal seems to be giving undue weightage to this issue reportedly at the behest of the Chinese leadership. Nepalese Prime Minister declared in the Parliament of his country that Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura are Nepalese territories and issued a map showing them as part of Nepal.

Oli did not stop at that. He further commented that the corona coming from India is more dangerous than the coronavirus coming from China. His statement certainly indicated that he is not in a mood to resolve this dispute through reconciliation.

This issue gave vent to other anti-India demonstrations in Nepal’s capital Kathmandu. The newspapers are full of coverage with such anti-India news and the Nepal Communist Party is at the forefront of these anti-India reports.

This border dispute is sure to further deepen the anti-India feelings in Nepal which is definitely not in the interest of India. There is a need to tread cautiously to resolve this issue. Since last some years anti-India elements have become vocal in Nepal with the help of China and some European groups. Nepal is looking towards China for its requirements and the Communist government in Nepal is encouraging this.

Observers feel that the China may be taking interest in fanning the anti-India feelings in Nepal as it is trying to increase its influence in the Himalayan region. India has rejected the unreasonable claim of Nepal but it should find out an amicable solution by using diplomatic and political wisdom.