The Apogee of India - Nepal relations under NDA First Modi Government
Dr. Afroz Ahmad, Dr Usha Roopnarain
1Area of Research Interest Broadly in International Terrorism, Radicalization,
State-sponsored Terrorism and Security Issues in South Asia.
2Former MP in the National Assembly RSA and Social Science Researcher Durban, South Africa.
ABSTRACT:
The last Indian parliamentary election held in 2014, proved to be the finest example of India’s age-old commitment towards the pinnacle of democratic norms. India had set a niche by conducting the largest democratic franchise in history. First time ever since the 1984, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) achieved the majority in the Lok Sabha without clubbing with coalition partners. It also got the absolute mandate to rule India’s federal government by ending the Congress monopoly. Interestingly, the Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi in his campaigns criticized Congress-led United Progressive Alliance II (UPA II) for its impotency towards establishing friendly and cooperative relations with India’s neighbors. He also gave assurance that if his party (BJP) got the mandate, his leadership would adopt appropriate measures to resuscitate convivial ties with neighbors. Since forming the government, Prime Minister Modi has been persistently trying to pursue those promises by proceeding towards friendly ties with India’s neighbors. In the light of above discussion, this paper seeks to critically analyze the progress in Indo-Nepal relations under BJP government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
KEYWORDS: Indian parliamentary election, Democratic norms, Congress monopoly.
INTRODUCTION:
India Nepal Relation under the Modi Government:
The roots of Indo-Nepal relations can be found in the backdrop of history. Shaped by the geographical location, culture and religious affinity, the ties between the two states go beyond the politics between the governments in New Delhi and Kathmandu. Thus, over the years both the states have been influencing each other and reciprocating the friendly connections through regular exchange of high-level official visits despite the changes in political regimes. Periodically both of them keep acknowledging the importance of each other on various occasions.
If we peep into historical account, this special friendship between the duos got cemented through the treaty named as India Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship signed in 1950. This treaty was based on the mutual intentions to reaffirm unique ties between the two along with maintaining peace in the regions as their utmost priority. This accord also provided a premise to strengthen political, economic as well as strategic relations by giving preferential economic treatment to Nepalese nationals by the Indian government. The open and unrestricted 1,750-km long India-Nepal border provided an easy passage and access to stay or work to citizens of both counties devaluing all passport and visa barriers.1
High Level exchanges between India and Nepal under Modi Government:
Shortly after an overwhelming success in 2014 elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated his promises to revive India’s ties with its neighbors and the world under the motto Shared Efforts: Progress for All Sabka Saath, SabkaVikas (Collective Efforts Inclusive Growth). In his swearing ceremony he ushered a new era by inviting the heads of many governments to India including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in his swearing ceremony. Sushil Koirala, Nepali Prime Minister readily accepted the invitation.2 Just after this ceremony Modi emphasized his government’s first priority of foreign policy as “right decision at the right time” with India’s neighbors. Accordingly, India prioritized its concerns over strengthening relationship with Nepal. The Indian Minister of External Affairs Smt. Sushma Swaraj paid an official 3 day visit to Nepal in July 2014 and had bilateral talks with her Nepalese counterpart Mahendra Bahadur Pandey. She also attended the third Indo-Nepal Joint Commission meet in Kathmandu where both leaders appreciated the re-opening of Joint Commission which had been at halt since last 23 years. The Joint Commission is a bilateral institutional dialogue mechanism, formed in 1987 to promote bilateral relations through mutual understanding and cooperation for mutual development in the field of economy, trade, transit and industries along with sharing water resources.3 Both leaders also discussed infrastructure projects and construction of hydroelectric projects foreseeing mutual development and benefits. To realize these shared efforts, a five-cluster approach was introduced for the first time.4 This includes:
1. Political, security and border issues
2. Economic cooperation and infrastructure
3. Trade and transit
4. Power and water resources
5. Culture, education and media
Shortly after, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid bilateral visit to Nepal twice in August5 and in November for the 18th SAARC Summit in Kathmandu Nepal the same year.6 The Nepali Prime Minister, Mr. K.P. Sharma Oli, was on a state visit to India from 19 to 24 February 2016.7 The Nepali Prime Minister, Mr. Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda paid a state visit to India from 15to18 September 2016.8 To confirm the goodwill the Nepali Prime Minister, Mr. Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda paid a state visit to India from 15to 17 October 2016 and attended BRICK and BIMSTEC Summit in Goa.9
The Fourth Joint Commission Meeting was held on 26 to 27 October 2016 in New Delhi.10 In November 2016 this friendly gesture was further extended by a high-level official state visit of Indian President Pranab Mukherji from 2 to 4 November, 201611 accompanied by Minister of Defense Subhash Bhamre and four Members of Parliament. This was followed by four important visits from both sides in 2017 including Nepalese Premier Mrs. Bidya Devi Bhandari’s visit to India from 17 to 21 April,12 Deputy Prime Minister Shri Krishna Bahadur Mahara and Foreign Minister’s two day visit in July,13 Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s visit to Kathmandu for BIMSTEC from 10 to 11 August while Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba was on a State visit to India from 23 to 27 August 2017.14 The State visit of Nepalese Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli to India in April 2018 further boosted this special friendship.
India-Nepal Relations: Touching New Heights:
The worth mentioning last visit of Nepalese Prime Minister K.P. Oli to India from 6 to 8 April 2018 highlighted once again and brought out the close relationship between the two countries. This was his first foreign visit after being elected as Nepalese Prime Minister. This visit was concluded in initiating ‘three path breaking agreements’ in the fields of: partnership in agriculture, connectivity through waterways and expanding linkages by constructing railway lines from India to Kathmandu. This agreement was meant to bring close both countries as never before. Further, this visit also witnessed the inauguration of the construction of petroleum pipeline between India and Nepal. Now let us discuss these the ‘three path breaking agreements’ in detail.15
New Partnership in Agriculture:
The Prime Ministers of both the countries have determined to advance agricultural development comprehensively. Both countries have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to reiterate their strong inclination to promote agricultural production through scientific research and agro processing by using technology. This was seen as a gift not only to the farmers but to the consumers, scientific community and private sector of both sides. This momentum in bilateral cooperation towards agricultural sector is considered as an unprecedented partnership. This partnership is to be the bulwark of the agriculture ministers of both nations. The focus will be on “agricultural research and development, education, training and scholarships; strengthening of supply and value chain; climate resilience, research in seed technology, soil health; strengthening infrastructure of plant protection laboratories; research in indigenous genetic resources, animal husbandry, veterinary research and development facilities; agro forestry; bio pesticides, bio fertilizers; cooperative farming, and promoting exchanges between the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC). Additionally, concretizing these development plans on priority basis will be jointly implemented as soon as possible. To implement organic farming and soil health monitoring, India has announced a pilot project for Nepal.16
Cross Border Railway line Projects:
India has always been determined to strengthen the ties beside the development of the Himalayan state. The people to people contact and economic growth has always been on its priority agenda.
The construction of an electrified railway line which will connect Raxaul, in Bihar, India to Kathmandu in Nepal is the first step to ensure concretization of these goals. India has announced to provide full financial support for this dream project and also plans to carry out initial survey within one year. The two sides with mutual consultation prepared a Detailed Project Report to finalize implementation and fund modalities. The Nepalese Prime Minister extended support to complete requisite survey for this new rail line as early as possible.
On the satisfactory implementation of Phase I of the India-Nepal cross-border Railway project, the Prime Ministers of both sides expressed their appreciation. It was mentioned by the two leaders that that “the stretch of railway lines from Jayanagar to Janakpur Kurtha and from Jogbani to Biratnagar Custom Yard will be completed in 2018, and that work on the remaining stretch of the ongoing rail link projects: (a) Jayanagar-Bijalpura-Bardibas and (b) Jogbani-Biratnagar, will be taken forward on priority”. India also appreciates Nepal’s commitment to resolve the issues related to land availability expeditiously. The both sides have also admired the tremendous and spontaneous team work being done by the India-Nepal Joint Working Group for railway services.
The three links under phase-II of the India-Nepal cross-border Railway projects that are to be constructed include (a) New Jalpaiguri-Kakarbhitta (b) Nautanwa-Bhairahawa, and (c) Nepalgunj Road-Nepalgunj. The Final Location Survey of these three links is going on which has been hoped by the leaders of Indo–Nepal to be completed very soon.17
New Connectivity between India and Nepal through Inland Waterways:
The inland waterways play a major role in economic growth of any country/region. The Prime Ministers of India and - Nepal recognized this phenomenon and took a landmark decision to make inland waterways an easy passage for cargo according to trade-transit agreements and to provide more accessibility to Nepal. It is being expected that this initiative would be efficient and cost effective for passage of bulk cargo. The Nepalese Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli has reckoned the swift impact on business and economy of Nepal through inland water connectivity between the both countries. In order to accelerate movement of traffic-in-transit, the leaders of both sides assigned officials to contrive requisite modalities to include inland waterways under protocol of Treaty of Transit between the two countries.18
India’s Trade and Investment in Nepal:
Under the Modi Administration, the structural shift has been visible towards trade policies with neighboring states. Though the bilateral ties between India and Nepal in terms of trade evolved in the commercial and economic arena, the trade and transit issues are minimal in multidimensional ties. India has continuously been the prime trading partner of Nepal from time immemorial. Even today India’s investment with more than 2/3rd of Nepalese trade with India accounts for 40% of total FDI of Himalayan state.19 As on 31 May 2017, Indian ventures led foreign investment with FDI commitments of INR.5159.86 crores whereas the total proposed FDI commitments to Nepal from all countries amounts to INR.13178.15 crores.20
An additional investment from Indian private sectors and PSUs for development of two Nepalese Hydropower Projects- Upper Karnali and Arun III, each 900 MWs is about US$ 2.5 billion. Currently, about 150 Indian ventures are operating in Nepal engaged in manufacturing services (banking, insurance, dry port, education and telecom), power sector and tourism industries.21
Few prominent large scale Indian investors are ITC, Dabur India, Hindustan Unilever, VSNL, TCIL, MTNL, State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Life Insurance Corporation of India, Asian Paints, CONCOR, GMR India, IL&FS, Manipal Group, MIT Group Holding, Nupur International, Transworld Group, Patel Engineering, Bhilwara Energy, Bhushan Group, Feedback Ventures, RJ Corp, KSK Energy, Berger Paints, Essel Infra Projects Ltd. and Tata Power etc.22
Water Resources and Energy Cooperation between India and Nepal:
India had signed three level mechanisms with Nepal in 2008 to insure mutual cooperation in bilateral discussion regarding hydropower project and water resources. Therefore both states have continuously been conducting meetings on and off sites. The government of India has provided a great deal of assistance in terms of training in river embankment construction along Lalbakeya, Bagmati and Kamala rivers of Nepal.23 For this purpose in 2018 alone, India has released a grant of Nepalese Rupees (NRs) 18.07 crores. India has also promised to extend this assistance towards construction of embankments along other Nepalese rivers as well.24
Modi government has been providing significant assistance in energy cooperation also. To carry out Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project, a Pancheshwar Development Authority was set up in September 2014. Power Development Agreement (PDA) for the 900 MW Arun-3 Hydroelectric Project (Arun-3 HEP) between India’s Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited and the Investment Board of Nepal (IBN) was concluded in November 2014.25 Power Development Agreement (PDA) for the 900 MW Upper Karnali Hydroelectric Project (UK-HEP) was concluded between IBN and M/s GMR in September 2014. In February 2017, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the investment for generation component of Arun-3 HEP at an estimated cost of Rs. 5723.72 crore in 2015.26 There are more than twenty 132 KV, 33KV and 11KV transmission interconnections which are used for both power exchange in the bordering areas and power trade. This first high capacity Dhalkebar (Nepal)-Muzaffarpur (India) cross-border power transmission line charged at 132 KV was jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Nepali Prime Minister Mr. K.P. Sharma Oli, during the latter’s visit to India in February 2016, through which 80 MW of electricity is being supplied to Nepal.27 The line is expected to be ready for operation at 400 KV by August 2019. The two 132 KVA lines between Kataiya-Kushaha and Raxaul-Parwanipur built with Indian assistance were inaugurated during PM Deuba’s visit to India in August 2017, enabling import of an additional 100 MW of power.28 At the request of Nepal, in order to alleviate power shortages during winters, an additional 220/132k V, 100 MVA transformers were installed to supply additional 80 MW of power to Nepal from 1 January 2017 onwards from Muzzafarpur-Dhalkebar transmission line. A total of about 350-370 MW of power is currently being supplied to Nepal through different transmission lines. A majority of the power import is done through Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur, Kataiya-Kusaha, Tanakpur-Mahendranagar and Ramnagar-Gandak Transmission Lines. Nepal Electricity Authority and NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN) signed a supplementary Power Purchase Agreement in May 2017 for importing 160 MW of electricity through the Muzaffarpur-Dhalkebar Transmission Line, extended till December 31, 2017.29 An Agreement on “Electric Power Trade, Cross-border Transmission Interconnection and Grid Connectivity” was signed between government of India and Nepal on 21 October 2014. Two mechanisms, Joint Working Group (JWG) and Joint Steering Committee (JSC) envisaged under the Agreement have been established in November 2014. A Joint Technical Team (JTT) has been formed for preparation of long-term integrated transmission plan covering projects up to 2035. On 5th December 2016, Ministry of Power, Government of India issued guidelines on cross-border trade of electricity. The Fourth meeting of JWG/JSC was held in Kathmandu from 13-14 February 2017.30 The next meeting is scheduled to be held in New Delhi.
India’s Other Development Assistance in Nepal:
A friend in need is a friend indeed. This age-old saying proved to be true in terms of friendship between India and Nepal. India has always been determined to help this poverty ridden but abundantly resourceful Himalayan state. Whether it is financial, technical or any other developmental assistance, India has always stood with open arms. Time to time India provided substantial support to Nepal through broad based program such as the development of Nepalese infrastructure at grass-root level. This includes not only infrastructure but health, water resource, education, rural and community development as well. India has endorsed many infrastructure-based projects in recent years. This has been done through “upgradation of roads in the Terai areas; development of cross-border rail links at Jogbani–Biratnagar, Jaynagar- Bardibas, Nepalgunj Road-Nepalgunj, Nautanwa-Bhairhawa, and New Jalpaigudi- Kakarbhitta; and establishment of Integrated Check Posts at Raxaul-Birgunj, Sunauli- Bhairhawa, Jogbani Biratnagar, and Nepalgunj Road-Nepalgunj.31
It has been estimated that the financial assistance India has provided to Nepal is worth of INRs 76 billion since 1951 through more than 551 projects of all levels. In the Financial Year 2017-2018, the Government of India under ‘Aid to Nepal’ dispensed INR .375 crore economic assistance to Nepal for 18 intermediate and large-scale projects. Among these projects, the construction of Nepal Bharat Maitri Dharamshala at Pashupati area at Kathmandu and a Polytechnic at Hetauda, faculty support BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences at Dharan and Installation of 2700 shallow tube wells in various districts across Nepal are noteworthy. So far India has given 602 ambulances, 118 school buses to multiple institutions across 75 districts of Nepal. In order to enhance fire- fighting capacity, India gifted 17 fire tenders to Nepal’s Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development in 2106. Besides this, in May 2017 India supplied vehicles and logistical support to Election Commission of Nepal. Additionally for the successful execution of infrastructure development and post- earthquake reconstruction, India has released credit in four lines viz: US$ 100 million, US$ 250 mn, US$ 550 mn and US$ 750 mn to Government of Nepal.
Indian Nepal Defence Cooperation:
Both Indian and Nepalese army has enjoyed a deep and vast relationship. The Himalayan state has received a great deal of military assistance from India. The fact that Nepal is heavily depended on India for arms and ammunition cannot be denied. India helped Nepalese army to embrace modernization through equipment and training which accounted for 250 training slots every year. The Joint exercises are conducted regularly to enhance defence cooperation. The 12th Indo-Nepal Army Battalion level Joint Exercise was conducted at Saljhandi (Nepal) from 03 September 2017 to 18 September 2017. The aim of this exercise was to train troops in counter insurgency, counter terrorism operations, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Management (HADR). The Exercise enhanced defence co-operation and military relations between the two nations.32 This year 13th Joint Exercise between the two armies began on 30th May to 12 June 2018 in Uttarakhand, India. Apart from this both sides are also keen to boost exchange of information on disaster management.33
The Gorkha Regiment is an indispensable part of the Indian Army. Currently, there are 32000 Gorkhas serving in Indian Army who were recruited from hilly region of Nepal. Indian government disbursed around INRs 2796.5 Crores to 1,25,000 Gorkha soldiers both retired and civilian pensioners during 2017-17?. The Defence Wing under Embassy of India takes care of welfare programs for training, rehabilitation of retired Gorkha soldier though 22 districts soldier Boards functioning in Nepal. The government of India under Modi administration in 2017 laid the foundation of a new Pension Paying Office in Butwa to benefit 45,000 pensioners of the same district. To acknowledge the mutual assistance and harmonious ties in defence services, both sides have been awarding Army Chiefs of each other with the honorary rank of General since 1950.
India Nepal Education and Culture Cooperation:
The government of India termed Nepal as special friend and always put her in its priority list of bilateral relations. The development of human resources in the Nepalese state has become a primary goal for India over the years. In 1991 the B.P. Koirala India-Nepal Foundation was set up by MoU signed between the two states with the hope to foster educational, cultural, scientific and technical cooperation mutually through sharing of knowledge and professional talents in academic pursuits and technical specialization.
In the field of education, Government of India provides 300 scholarships to Nepalese students. These scholarships cover levels from Ph.D, Masters, Bachelors degree on Indian soil while plus-two in Nepal including multiple subjects like engineering, agriculture, pharmacology, veterinary sciences, computer application, business administration, music, fine arts, etc. In the field of higher and technical education a MoU between ICCR and Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel (Nepal) has been signed for setting up ICCR Chair at the University and efforts are underway to sign an MoU between ICCR and Tribhuvan University for setting up ICCR Chair at the University. An e-Library across Nepal has also been proposed.
The geographical location of the beautiful Himalayan state and the porous borders prompted Indian government to promote people to people contact in all spheres including art and culture, academia and media. Round the year various cultural programs, symposia, conference, seminars and events are organized by the government in order to boost ties. To facilitate training, short term training programmes are offeredto Nepali journalists, editors, experts and officials in the field of print & electronic media and archaeology. Also a Memorandum of Understanding is in operation between Sahitya Kala Academy of India and academy of Nepal besides MoUs that have been already signed between Doordarshan and Nepal TV, Press Council of India and Press Council of Nepal, Lalit Kala Akademi, India and Nepal Academy of Fine Arts, MoU on Youth Exchange between the Governments of India and Nepal, MoUs between the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India and the Nepal Academy of Music and Drama. Furthermore a MoU between Akashwani (AIR) India and Radio Nepal are under consideration.
Thus to promote cultural and information exchanges between the two countries efforts are sincere and enthusiastic on both sides. An important step was taken in 2007 by the Government of India to establish Indian Cultural Centre in Kathmandu as a means to showcase the best of Indian culture across Nepal. Significantly this center has generated considerable goodwill through the various cultural events it has undertaken in the past. The Nepal–Bharat Library was founded in 1951 in Kathmandu with the objective to enhance and strengthen cultural relations and facilitate information exchange between India and Nepal.
It is interesting to note that both countries have agreed to create three sister-city agreement for twinning of Kathmandu-Varanasi, Lumbini-Bodhgaya and Janakpur- Ayodhya. The renovation of Pashupatinath temple complex in Nepal is to be done by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for which a MoU is under consideration.
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21. IBID
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Received on 12.04.2021 Modified on 21.05.2021
Accepted on 05.06.2021 ©AandV Publications All right reserved
Res. J. Humanities and Social Sciences. 2021; 12(3):166-171.
DOI: 10.52711/2321-5828.2021.00027