Skip navigation

INDO-NEPAL RELATIONSHIP:Broad perspective

Jul. 24, 2020   •   Samiksha Gupta

Profile of the Author: Tanishk Jandial is a 2nd year BA.LLB (Hons.) student at Dogra Law College, University of Jammu.

INTRODUCTION

The historical linkages emanating from the racial, religious and linguistic affinities were possible because of the 1,750-km-long open border which made communication easier and possible. Nepal is an important neighbor of India and occupies special significance in its foreign policy because of the geographic, historical, cultural and economic linkages/ties that span centuries. India and Nepal share religious ties, in terms of both Hinduism and Buddhism, chiefly demonstrated by Buddha’s birthplace Lumbini located in present day Nepal. The two countries not only share an open border and unhindered movement of people, but they also have close bonds through marriages and familial ties, popularly known as Roti-Beti ka Rishta.

The India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950 forms the bedrock of the special relations that exist between India and Nepal.

Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950

  • The treaty talks about reciprocal treatment of Indian and Nepali citizens in the two countries, in residence, property, business and movement.
  • It also establishes national treatment for both Indian and Nepalese businesses (i.e. once imported, foreign goods would be treated no differently than domestic goods).
  • It also gives Nepal access to weaponry from India.

The geo-strategic location of Nepal between India and China has also contributed to the present shape of the relations shared by the two neighbors. The high mountain peaks and rough terrain towards the North make communication and people’s movement and habitation difficult, if not impossible, towards the Tibet region of China. This is not to say that Nepal did not have historical political linkages with its northern neighbor. However, the presence of imperialist China and Russia in the north led British India to consider Nepal as a buffer state and integrate Nepal into British India’s security parameters. Independent India also could not ignore the geo-strategic importance of Nepal and considered it as a buffer between itself and Communist China. It was not only the ideological differences with China that alarmed India but also the Chinese efforts to undermine India’s security interests by undertaking road construction projects in Terai area which is contiguous to the plains of India. In fact, soon after Communist China’s expansion towards Tibet, India entered into the Treaty of Peace and Friendship with Nepal in 1950 which defined the political, economic and strategic relations between the two countries. The Chinese expansion towards Tibet had perturbed Nepal as it not only exposed China’s historical claims of maintaining the Himalayan state as its feudatory but also Nepal’s vulnerability in containing any armed aggression from the North. Hence, Nepal agreed to enter into treaty arrangements with India. However, too much dependence brings forth to the small state fear of being incorporated or turned into an ally of the dominant state. The open border between India and Nepal had created ideological and political linkages between the two countries much to the chagrin of the monarch. For instance, the Nepali National Congress, a protagonist of democracy and a socialistic society, had links with the Indian National Congress even before the independence of India. Landlocked Nepal utilized its geographical location to its advantage by undertaking strategies of distancing with India, neutrality of non-alignment with its neighbors, to preserve its own interest. Nepal developed diplomatic relations with China in 1960 under King Mahindra’s rule and tried to assert its independence and sovereignty.

The internal political dynamics in Nepal also influenced the making of its foreign policy with India. There have been frequent changes in the political system in Nepal from the rule of Ranas to the monarchy to the Panchayat democracy and constitutional democracy and in every political change the ruler has looked towards those out of power with suspicion.

The cold-war also affected India-Nepal relations. The impact of Sino-Soviet differences along with the growing Sino-US rapprochement in the international politics percolated down to South Asia where the Sino-India differences drew India and the Soviet Union closer. Nepal also made use of the Sino-India differences and followed the policy of distancing form India to reap advantages from the global and regional actors. For example, in 1961, King Mahindra signed an agreement on the road construction from Kathmandu to Kadori with China in 1961. The agreement came at a time when the monarchy had dissolved the Parliamentary democracy, a move not favored by India, and Nepal needed to allay any fears of outside support to democracy for which nothing could have been better than to use China whose relations with India had fallen to the lowest. Since then the ground realities have changed. The cold war has come to an end with the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1989 and the worldwide resurgence of democratic forces.

It is hardly surprising that the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship which was sought by the Nepali authorities in 1949 to continue the special links it had with British India and provides for an open border and right to work for Nepali nationals is viewed as a sign of an unequal relationship, and an Indian imposition. Yet, Nepali authorities have studiously avoided taking it up bilaterally even though Nepali leaders thunder against it in their domestic rhetoric.

CONCLUSION

The urgent need today is to pause the rhetoric on territorial nationalism and lay the groundwork for a quiet dialogue where both sides display sensitivity as they explore the terms of a reset of the “special relationship”. A normal relationship where India can be a generous partner will be a better foundation for “neighborhood first” in the 21st century.

Disclaimer: This article is an original submission of the Author. Niti Manthan does not hold any liability arising out of this article. Kindly refer to our Terms of use or write to us in case of any concerns.


FAQ:

Q. What way has India helped in the development of Nepal?

A. India has given assistance to Nepal for construction of Mahindra Rajmarg and other economic development projects. India has also provided an aid for the construction of an out-patient department of Bir hospital and various other facilities.

REFERENCES

  1. ‘Image source’ https://www.vifindia.org/2018/november/22/india-nepal-relations-under-pm-oli> accessed on 17-July-2020
  2. https://www.idsa-india.org/an-dec-5.html accessed on 17-July-2020.
  3. https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/paper2/india-nepal-relations accessed on 17-July-2020
  4. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.the hindu.com/opinion/lead/for-a-reset-in-india-nepal-relations/article31697691.ece/amp/ accessed on 17-July-2020


Liked the article ?
Share this: