The Nepalese Foreign Minister Mr. Kamal Thapa is quoted as saying, " The Government ( Nepal Government ) is sincerely working ( with India ) to ease fuel supply without compromising on the country dignity ". What this means is Nepal has asked India to lift the trade embargo and refrain from internal matter interference.
India would have lifted the blockade if Nepalese Prime Minister Oli had rushed to pay homage to New Delhi. But His Excellency Prime Minister of Nepal seems to be made of sterner nationalism material. After all he spent 14 years in jail for Nepal of his vision. Perhaps India has found out that not every regional leader is ready to meekly bow before New Delhi for personal political salvation.
Fuel import to Nepal from China would be more costly than from India for transportation reasons. But with China granting 1000 tonnes of fuel in subsidy, the cost difference does not exist in importing the 10000 tonnes immediate need. I hope New Delhi realises that bullying small neighbours can back fire when a neighbour like Nepal has leaders with national backbone.
India is in position to grant any personal wishes of political leaders in Nepal and elsewhere in the South Asia Region. But it seems Prime Minister Oli has no personal wish, only national dignity of Nepal to protect. The people of Nepal has taken a courageous path. It will not be easy but if Oli is not murdered he will succeed.
Whatever political card is dealt out, hereafter, the sacrifice that Prime Minister Oli and his supporters the majority of Nepalese citizens and institutions have made, has sown the imperishable seed of Nepal Sovereignty and Dignity. I admire such true grit in political leadership.
The biggest commercial losers in the end would be the business people of the States of India bordering Nepal. The population in Southern Nepal will also lose the economic advantage for a short duration. But on the whole even South Nepal is not that far away from Chinese border trading posts. Moreover it is possible that much of the business enterprises in South Nepal, too, are operated directly or indirectly by Indian businessmen similar to Phuentsholing in Bhutan.
And on the political front, South Asia Association till now dominated by mother India would have opened an active back door to China. New Delhi would have realised by now that economic strangulation of Nepal was not a foolproof strategy for India. I do hope India will change. South Asian Countries like land locked Nepal and Bhutan need India but prefer a less vicious India.
Bhutan has a lot of lesson to learn from happenings in Nepal. What if Bhutan is in the same situation like Nepal? What do we have ? Nepal has China to look upon for support. What do we have? We could not even build road within our boundary because they didnt want it. What next? Do we have right to choose our own leader ? If we keep surrendering like that, they will dictate us what to eat or when to shit. I hope our citizens are paying full attention to the developments in Nepal and think of some ways to diversify our international relations. This is why Bhutan needs to make as many friends as possible, near or far.
ReplyDeleteRemember 2013, Indian government interfered into our elections. Or rather some power hungry mortals invited India to interfere. Shame on those crooks. All along I have been saying that when it comes to foreign policy, Bhutanese leaders could learn from Nepal. Yes, Nepal is suffering..in the short term but in the long run..they gain. Thats what matters to true leaders.
ReplyDeleteOur Bhutanese Leaders are like Indian Pet Dogs, which does and eat what ever the Indian direct and gives.
ReplyDeleteIndian policy of keeping its small neighbours under its wings by providing some help and dictating their foreign policy and in some cases interfaring in internal matters have back fired than they would have liked these countries to remain under her control. India is loosing its credibility as a giant continent that plays constructive role in the region let alone in international arena. Its time India change her policy of handpack big brotherly relation towards your small neighbours.
ReplyDeleteIndian policy of keeping its small neighbours under its wings by providing some help and dictating their foreign policy and in some cases interfaring in internal matters have back fired than they would have liked these countries to remain under her control. India is loosing its credibility as a giant continent that plays constructive role in the region let alone in international arena. Its time India change her policy of handpack big brotherly relation towards your small neighbours.
ReplyDeleteIndian policy of keeping its small neighbours under its wings by providing some help and dictating their foreign policy and in some cases interfaring in internal matters have back fired than they would have liked these countries to remain under her control. India is loosing its credibility as a giant continent that plays constructive role in the region let alone in international arena. Its time India change her policy of handpack big brotherly relation towards your small neighbours.
ReplyDelete