Indo-Nepal relationship becomes serious border dispute

Nepal's inclination towards China, is  causing Indo-Nepal bilateral border problems?

The language and tone of Nepal have changed from last few days. The border dispute between India and Nepal is not new, it is old and has been going on for years. When the world is grappling with COVID-19 and all the disputes are on hold, the Nepal government has suddenly created a controversy by releasing a new political map. Questions are also being raised on the intention of the Government of Nepal. In its new political map, Nepal has covered a total area of ​​395 sq km of Indian territory. In which Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani are included along with some villages such as Gunji, Naveli and Kuti. Nepal has declared a total area of ​​60 sq km of Kalapani as its own. Including this to the area of ​​335 km of Limpiyadhura, then it becomes a total of 395 km. In this way Nepal has claimed an area of ​​395 km of India.

Latest political map of Nepal published by Nepali government 

Naturally, India has a lot of displeasure over Nepal's move and the government has officially objected to it. At the same time, Nepal's cabinet termed it as a legitimate claim and said that the source of Mahakali (Sharda) river is actually Limpiyadhura, which is currently part of Uttarakhand in India. It is worth noting that this decision of the Cabinet of Nepal came a few days after the inauguration of the border road in Lipulekh area by India. This road is strategically important for India, as it is the way to go to Mansarovar through Lipulekh.

Road to Kailash Mansarovar via Kalapani,Lipulekh 

Nepal is upset with India's decision:

On May 8, India inaugurated a road 80 km from Dharchula in Uttarakhand to Kailash Mansarovar. After this road was built, Nepal reacted strongly to this and registered a protest. The Government of Nepal decided to release a new political map. Even after releasing the map, aggressive statements of Nepali leaders have come out. This controversy has poured oil on the flames, Nepal's official newspaper Gorkha Patra published the statement of Nepal's land management minister Padma Kumari Aryal, in which he said that we do not shy away from protecting our national territories. A few days ago, Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli made a commitment to keep up with India's efforts in the COVID-19 pandemic, but a few days later he released a new map of Nepal, saying that Nepal will not leave even an inch of its land.

Padma Kumari Aryal addressing the Nepali media

Does stubborn attitude of nepal on lipulekh is giving a testimony of Chinese diplomacy on Nepali government?

Nepal is working as a puppet of China! Many Indian experts also see this as a growing influence of China on the Government of Nepal. They believe that there was already a land dispute with Nepal, but such offensive language was not used before it. There have also been such reports in the media that China's interference in Nepal is increasing. Although Nepali leaders have been rejecting such statements, but the truth is that China is constantly trying to spread its foot in Nepal. Until a while ago, China's role in Nepal was limited to building only infrastructure, but now its interference in the political structure is clearly visible. The relationship between Indo-Nepal is centuries old. It is a matter of fact that there have been ups and downs in this too. The bond between Indo-Nepal is not like any other country in the world. We are connected to each other in every way, geographical, historical and cultural. Republic of India and Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal have made a special relationship with a new identity of Indo-Nepal Peace and Friendship Treaty of 1950.

Must see: India and China - where is dispute?

Indo-Nepal Peace and Friendship Treaty of 1950

The dimensions of relations between the two countries were determined through this international treaty. According to the treaty, the border of the two countries will be open to each other's citizens and they will be able to come to each other's country unhindered and they will also be allowed to work. Articles 5, 6 and 7 of the treaty were the major components of the treaty. Article 5 allowed Nepal to access weaponry from India. Article 6 established national treatment for both Indian and Nepalese businesses (i.e. foreign goods which are once imported would be treated no differently than domestic goods). Article 7 established mutual treatment of Indian and Nepalese citizens in residence, property, occupation and movement in both countries. This treaty establishes a deep relationship between the two countries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi began to pay special attention to neighboring countries soon after assuming office. He also went on a trip to Nepal. During the earthquake in Nepal, India immediately fueled 'Mission Maitri' and extended a helping hand and played an important role in relief and rescue work.

Mission Maitri during earthquake in Nepal 

This intensified the relations between the two countries and felt that the relationship would reach a new stage, but the two countries got upset over 'Madhesi' and other issues and after the release of the new map of Nepal, the distrust between the two countries has increased. India is worried about the Nepali leadership's inclination towards China. This notion was reinforced by Prime Minister Oli's initial statements. The Prime Minister of Nepal had announced that Nepal would join the One Belt One Road plan of China, but Oli took the initiative to bring relations back on track after making his first foreign trip to India instead of China. However, these efforts are now inadequate.

What does nepal want?

Nepal's economy is completely dependent on India. Presently, about 400 projects, small and big, are running under Indo-Nepal Economic Cooperation. There industries are negligible. About 50 lakh Nepalese citizens work in India. They send a part of their earnings to their families in Nepal, this amount makes a major contribution to the GDP of Nepal. Bihar has a bread-and-daughter relationship with Nepal. The southern region of Nepal is adjacent to the northern border of India. It is a lowland area, which is known as 'Madhes'. Another major cause of sour relations between Indo-Nepal relations has also been the river water dispute. India has long been demanding Nepal to build a dam on the Kosi river. In fact, a large area of ​​Bihar gets flooded every year due to this river and there is heavy destruction.

Every year Bihar got flooded due to Nepal's stubborn attitude 

Due to the construction of a dam, the water flow of this river will be controlled in the rain. This will also make power generation possible in Nepal, which will benefit Nepal. For this, India has also offered full help, but the Government of Nepal has always been evasive in this matter. However, India and Nepal have distinct historical, cultural and political ties. In such a situation, it is a matter of concern that despite such intimate and sweet relations, how did this situation of mistrust arise? 'Obviously, China has a big diplomatic role in this.

Nepal stoop so low that it has banned all Indian private News channels except Durdarshan by claiming that the channels aired objectionable content about Nepal's PM KP Sharma Oli. What message does Nepal want to give by committing such shameful act? How can Nepal forgot its friendship with India just because of the dragon's influence?

 

Nepal having its feet on two boats at the same time 

Conclusion 

Use diplomacy to deal with Nepal - 

Acharya Chanakya, the general minister of Magadha emperor Chandragupta Maurya, said that neighbors can never be friends. He meant to say that there is a possibility of some dispute between the people living together. At the moment something similar is happening with India. Former Prime Minister Vajpayee also said that neighbors cannot be changed. Here, China wants to take large parts of India under its expansionary policy. Now Nepal too has dared ed on to do the same. Pakistan, too, has been disloyal to India ever since it came into existence. War cannot be an option and the principle of peace is also indicative of weakening itself. It would be best to deal with diplomacy in this odd situation.

             Realizing this fact, diplomatic initiative on bilateral issues of Indo-Nepal should be pursued more closely, carefully and in a balanced manner so that China does not get an opportunity to spread its footing there.

Thanks for reading.