A Gesture Of Amity

Nepal and India have been able to amiably resolve a border-related tension that recently emerged after the southern neighbour began constructing an embankment unilaterally towards the Nepali boundary in the Mahakali River. Security officials from the two nations reached an agreement to allow the river to take its own natural course within 10 days after holding a conclusive meeting in Dharchula of Pithoragarh district in India on Wednesday. Before making this breakthrough, the two sides had taken part in discussions for three consecutive days since Monday. In line with the mutual agreement, India has stopped the embankment construction project on the bank of the Mahakali River at the Nepal-India border in Darchula. The Indian side has also agreed to dismantle the embankment in order to push the river in its original course. This understanding can really be taken as a gesture of friendship and trust between the two close neighbours.   

As the Indian side had started building the embankment, diverting the river towards the district headquarters in Khalanga, the local people of Darchula became very agitated. They vehemently opposed the unwanted Indian move. They even held a rally to protest against India's one-sided step because their major concern was that the construction of the embankment could change the river’s course permanently. The Nepalis and Indians living across the river also got involved in skirmishes such as pelting stones to each other. When locals of Khalanga in Darchula fought back the Indian side on Sunday, four Nepalis, including a child, are reported to have been injured. Some persons from the Indian side were also wounded in the scuffle. Taking all this into serious consideration, Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday sent a diplomatic note to India through the latter's embassy based in Kathmandu, requesting the Indian government to halt the embankment construction instantly and resolve the issue. All the political parties in Nepal had also shown their grave concern over the Indian move. 

Chief District Officer of Darchula Dirgharaj Upadhyaya had also conveyed Nepal’s stand to his Indian counterpart at the meetings held for three days. What is equally notable is that India responded to Nepal's concerns in a positive way and stopped the construction work instantly. It may be recalled here that Nepali and Indian officials had earlier agreed to abstain from building embankments along the disputed sections of the river. However, Darchula has witnessed several border-related problems over the years. In the past, the Nepal government had sent two diplomatic notes to India. But the Indian side had not taken such concerns of Nepal seriously. Now the two sides have decided to resume discussions after having assessed whether the work has been carried out as per the agreement. All the temporary diversions and structures other than the essential ones will also be removed with the mobilisation of Indian manpower.  

The two nations share a long porous border. Nepal has been reeling from boundary-related problems in several other parts as well. Being very friendly neighbours, they need to settle all the border issues through open dialogues. Every bilateral issue can be addressed on the basis of talks and mutual understanding. It is high time that the two nations took the initiative to resolve the longstanding border issue in regard to Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulek as well. It is important that the bilateral bond and intimacy between the two nations is sure to reach newer heights once the boundary-related issues are resolved forever.