India-Nepal relationship is back on track

At a time when the Indian strategic community is busy assessing China hardening its position on  Arunachal Pradesh by renaming some parts of the state, the recently concluded five-day visit of Nepal President Bidhya Devi Bhandari — from April 17 to 21 — has symbolised a transformational shift in the India-Nepal relationship. This is significant because Bhandari’s visit to India was cancelled in 2016 due to India’s differences with Nepal’s former Prime Minister, KP Sharma Oli. During Bhandari’s meetings with Indian leaders, she reiterated Nepal’s commitment to further strengthen the age-old friendly ties between the two countries in diverse sectors. Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded that India has always stood by Nepal. These high-sounding statements at the highest political level were a defining moment, considering the tensions of the past. 

Despite India’s proactive efforts to help Nepal in the aftermath of the earthquake in April 2015, the Nepalese recoiled at the presence of Indian media on their soil. Then, in September 2015, Nepal accused India of supporting the Madhesis protesting against the new Constitution, who blocked all entry points to India, leading to a shortage of essential items. In fact, Oli was so critical of New Delhi that his engagements with China increased. This shift in Nepal’s policy became clear when Oli went to China in March 2016 and secured major projects under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. 

While Oli’s ouster relieved the Indian government, given his tilt towards China, there was apprehension about the future of the relationship between the two countries under the new Nepalese government led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda,’ given his anti-India stand during his earlier tenure as PM. However, Prachanda’s approach has been encouraging this time. He has publicly acknowledged that Nepal’s relation with India is unique.

He even conceded that it was his political inexperience that prevented him from developing close ties with India during his earlier tenure. Prachanda’s changed views were visible when he visited India in September 2016.

Subsequently, he hosted President Pranab Mukherjee’s visit in November, imparting a new momentum to the relationship. In fact, Prachanda’s efforts to reverse his predecessor Oli’s policy towards India angered China.

During Prachanda’s visit to China in March, the state-run Global Times vented ire against him saying China-Nepal ties have fallen to a “low ebb”, with most Chinese projects in Nepal stuck due to his “pro-India” policies.” 

The Indian government has now reaffirmed its desire to increase investment in Nepal’s developmental activities. This will improve people-to-people contact, accelerate Nepal’s economy, and also help India check China’s growing presence in Nepal. The Modi government also has to ensure that the interests of the Madhesi region should be reflected in its new Constitution. Both New Delhi and Kathmandu must ensure that there is no repeat of the chill that set in during earlier years.  

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