India, Nepal need to ignore disruptive ploys

The Tribune     26th May 2020     Save    
QEP Pocket Notes

Context: Tensions between India and Nepal should ignore disruptive factors (China) lurking in the vicinity for instigating fractious diplomacy.

Present three-pronged challenge for India:

  • Shattered hopes of India’s goal of $5 trillion due to Corona virus breakout.
  • Politico-diplomatic headache originating from Nepal.
  • Military-politico muscle flexing by China over Line of Actual Control (LAC).

China’s Role

  • Strategic aim: To command and control vast water resources and reservoirs of the entire Himalayas; the virtual lifeline for more than 1.8 billion people of South Asia.
  • Brash diplomacy: every South Asian bilateral of India has turned into trilateral or multi-lateral, owing to the brash diplomacy of China to fulfil its global goal.

India’s claims:

  • Treaty of Sugauli: British got the area west of Kali including Garhwal and Kumaon.
    • No Ambiguity: from the language of Nepal-British treaties pertaining to Indian territories lying to the west of the Kali river, there no ambiguity that these have been with India.
    • Fight between two foreign powers (British and Nepal): for parceling out Indian soil in the 19th century.

Way Forward: India needs to calibrate its’s relations with neighbouring countries that are based on the fraternal ties and should shine of out the darkness posed by the third person.

QEP Pocket Notes