Interest Based Not Special

Context: Nepal’s approval of a new map including parts of Indian territory, reflects its natural politics of balance between India and China, hence it is time for India to divert focus from Nepal- China ties and advances its sustainable bilateral ties with Nepal.

Nepal’s Natural Politics of Balance between India and China

• Nepal’s geographic: between the dominant power in the Gangetic plains on the one hand and Tibet and the Qing empire on the other.
• Nepal’s geopolitics: Different labels used for natural politics of balance like non-alignment, diversification, “zone of peace”, equidistance, and a Himalayan bridge between India and China. 
• Stronger China: increasing Nepal’s negotiation options with India.
• Rise of the Chinese Communist Party: its assurances of security to Nepal.
• The 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship: a symbol of Indian hegemony in Nepal with the rise of mass politics in Nepal, growing Nepali nationalism, and its acquisition of an international personality.

Way Forward

• Renegotiation of major bilateral issues: like the 1950 treaty, national treatment to Nepali citizens in India, trade and transit arrangements, the open border and visa-free travel.
• Prioritised talks with Nepal: on revising, replacing, or simply discarding the 1950 treaty and negotiating a new set of mutually satisfactory arrangements (like Bhutan replaces 1949 treaty).
• Faith, ideology, or inheritance based bilateral relationship: must be rooted in shared interests (not sentiment based).
• Recognise strategic autonomy of Nepal: its economic geography, its pursuit of enlightened self-interest, and its natural balancing politics will act as a strong framework for bilateral ties.
• Discarding the appearances of the “special relationship”:  lead to a durable, realistic, and interest-based partnership with strong popular support on both sides.