Nepal-India Bonhomie

Nepal and India have enjoyed cordial relations since the time immemorial. Connected by geography, history, culture and economic interdependence, the bilateral bonhomie between the two close neighbours have expanded and deepened over the years. Goodwill, understanding, and mutual respect and cooperation have defined this unique relationship. Unhindered people-to-people contact and high level visits from both sides continue to add dimensions to diplomatic and political relations. Trade, tourism and investment have grown to their mutual benefits. The religious links are very strong to keep and foster civilisational bond between the two countries. The Ramayan Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Shiva Circuit, and other religious sites, including Pashupatinath, Muktinath, and Janakpurdham, have helped boost the spiritual ties and religious tourism between the two immediate neighbours. 

Nepal has many potential areas for Indian investment. It has given priority to the development of agriculture, hydropower, infrastructure, connectivity, tourism, small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs), and export-oriented industries. The country has seen the growth of hydropower sector that ensures energy security and green growth. During Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba's visit to India last April, Nepal-India Joint Vision Statement on Power Sector Cooperation was issued. With the improved cross-border transmission lines, Nepal began to sell electricity to India. The joint vision is expected to expand the power trading across the region based on the BBIN framework. Nepal's abundant hydropower potential can address this vision.

 Despite having sound ties between Nepal and India, there are also some thorny issues that time and again surface to hinder the smooth conduct of diplomacy and political relations. They include unequal provisions of the 1950 Treaty, boundary  issues and widening trade deficit, which need to be sorted out in an amicable manner so that Nepal-India relations become trouble-free and a model in the region.  CPN-Maoist Centre chairman and former prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda has raised these pertinent issues during his three-day visit to India. Addressing a function organised by the Foundation for Public Awareness and Policy in New Delhi on Saturday, Prachanda said that there were some issues left by history, which needed to be addressed in good faith to fully realise the potential of Nepal-India relations and bilateral cooperation. 

He said that the matters related to the 1950 Treaty, boundary debate, and the EPG report needed to be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue, and in the spirit of good neighbourliness. This can make the bilateral relations problem-free. In 2018, the Eminent Persons’ Group on Nepal-India had prepared a report that suggested reviewing the 1950 Peace and Friendship Treaty between Nepal and India. The EPG report has taken changing dynamism seen in the bilateral relations into account and regulating the open border between the two countries. The Indian side must not delay in accepting and implementing the report drafted by the experts of the two nations. In his meeting with Prachanda, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that Nepal has been prioritised under the “Neighbourhood First Policy”. Of course, India has attached priority to its ties to Nepal which should be reflected in action. Therefore, the southern neighbour must not dilly dally in responding to Nepal's request to implement the EPG report, thereby defining Nepal-India relations as per the changed context of the new century.