Hyderabad: India and Nepal have been good neighbours as they are bound by age-old history, culture, tradition, festivals and common business interests.
Religion has played a major role in sorting out differences on various occasions as Hinduism is followed by 85 per cent of the country's population.
Culturally, socially and economically, there has been a strong bond between India and Nepal.
Nepal used to be described as a 'Hindu Kingdom' till 2007, it all changed on September 20, 2015 after constitution declared Nepal as a secular country.
There is no doubt that India played a crucial role in bringing democratic government in Nepal but of late bilateral relations have not been that great.
The recent map row in Lipu Lekh, Kalapani and Limpiadhura has cast a shadow over Indo-Nepal relationship.
It is in this context that ETV Bharat's Regional Editor Braj Mohan Singh spoke to Yubaraj Ghimire, a political analyst who has been covering Indo-Nepal relations for more than three decades.
Here are some edited excerpts from the interview
How do you see the relationship between India and Nepal shaping up? And what are the factors that contributed to tension between the two friendly neighbours?
There is an atmosphere of uncertainty due to Covid-19 in the world. But temperatures have been rising because of border tensions over Kalapani, Limpiadhura, Lipu Lekh, covering over 370 sq kilometre area in three countries - India, China and Nepal. Tensions between India and Nepal mounted after the abrogation of Article 370 followed by cartographic changes including these areas in India's map.
Government of Nepal protested India's step and said that printing these three areas as part of their territory is not right and Nepal also redrew its map including these areas.
Nepal was in the process of holding talks with India but it stopped due to coronavirus crisis in both the countries. I believe that both the countries are capable of resolving border issues diplomatically once COVID 19 subsides.
Recently, the Nepalese parliament approved a bill endorsing the country's new map including territories like Limpiadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani, which have been with India for a long time. Do you think that suspicion between India and Nepal grew once India started strengthening its border infrastructure?
When Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister of India and Girija Prasad Koirala was his counterpart in Nepal, both the countries had agreed to sort out the differences. Foreign secretary-level talks were initiated to speed up the process but they could not achieve its purpose. Both countries put brushed their differences under the carpet. But in 2015, India and China decided to construct a road on Lipu Lekh, a move opposed by the Government of Nepal as it was not consulted with. The road construction by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) also led to the inundation of several areas of Nepal.
Today, the border issue has become an emotive issue, but if both countries sit together and make a decision based on historical documents, things would be sorted out.
It is believed widely in India that Nepal has been hardening its stance against India after the Nepal Communist Party came to power in Nepal. It is presumed that India and China are not as close as they used to be?
This is a very important and interesting factor. Nepal is surrounded by India from three sides and 70 per cent of Nepal's trade is done with India only.
There was a time when Nepal was dependent on India for higher education when students used to got to Lucknow, Banaras and Patna for higher education but not anymore.
India, of course, shares cultural, political and religious ties with Nepal. India had a huge influence on political developments in Nepal. But Nepal saw a great change in 2005 when the country saw a radical change in which Maoist came to power. India had earlier declared them terrorists but later they became part of the political process. India collaborated with them and prepared a road map for the democracy to replace the monarchy.
With this Nepal became a secular state. It saw a massive change. India brought democratic forces to power in Nepal but little did India know that someday they will become competitors.
Indian leaders were with the people who favoured democracy in Nepal. India also played its role during in its democratic movements, but suddenly there has been anti-India feeling in Nepal. How did this happen?
Monarchy and Nepali Congress were trusted allies of India. They got disheartened after India supported the Communists in 2005.
Nepali Congress surrendered and abdicated its role in the democratic process.
China also got suspicious when India brought in the European Union and the United States into Nepal, prompting Beijing to become proactive in Indian politics.
China's investment in Nepal has increased vis-a-vis India that's why one sees unease in this area.
Nepali Congress used to play a significant role in Nepalese politics but after the 12-point agreement was signed in Nepal, Congress completely surrendered itself before the Communists. Do you think that time has come for the Nepalese Congress to become more proactive in the country's politics?
Nepalese Congress is a moderate political party but if they join hands with the radical forces, it loses its relevance. Now there is a feeling within the Congress that they committed a mistake and there is an urge to set the house in order.
There is an increasing role of the communist party in Nepal and China promises to play a constructive role through China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Nepal but too much Chinese interference may be opposed by the people of Nepal.
Also read: China blames India for border clash, urges stability
Monarchy used to work as a backchannel in sorting out various issues in the past. Now, do you see any connection between India and Nepal that could bring them to the negotiating table?
It's very difficult now. For instance, Shankaracharya used to be a very important player in Nepal. When China was granted a road tender in Nepal, India had raised the concern with Nepal and they had revoked it. Such was the level of mutual respect but not any more.
After Nepal passed a resolution in the Parliament approving its new map, do you see India and China sitting together for a dialogue anytime soon?
There is no alternative to negotiations. A territory is only called disputed when it is claimed by two or more parties. Both India and Nepal have agreed at on one point that this is a disputed territory. So, I don't see why dialogue cannot take place.
Where do you see Indo-Nepal relationship going from this point?
Collaborating with radical forces in 2005 was a mistake for India the way they had done in Sri Lanka with LTTE. That is why mistrust for India got deepened in Nepal. Monarchy also felt that India backstabbed them, and Nepali Congress also thought that it is because of India that they had to agree with the agenda put forth by the radical forces.
