Indo-Nepal relations

INDIA AND NEPAL - Big Power-Small Power Relations in South Asia: M. D. Dharmadasani - Editor; South Asian Publishers Pvt. Ltd., 50, Siddharth Enclave, P.O. Jangpura, New Delhi-110014. Rs. 275.

THIS VOLUME contains 20 papers presented at a seminar held under the auspices of the Centre for the Study of Nepal at the BHU, Varanasi. Dr. M. D. Dharmadasani, co-ordinator of the centre and editor of this volume, has done a good job in including topics of relevance and importance. Politics among nations generally denotes study of the relationship between big if not super powers. Even to Oppenheim, international law was confined only among civilised nations. Small nations, which are strategically less important, are not given much attention in the studies on international relations. This has been the case from the consent of Europe to the Peace Treaty of 1919. It is only after the Second World War, and after the establishment of the United Nations, the smaller nations too got proper recognition and importance.

Indian influence on Nepalese foreign and domestic policy has increased since 1947, when the Britishers left India. Nepal's location as a buffer state between India and China too has increased its importance. The annexation of Tibet by China further increased its importance as a buffer state. India was trying to play the role of a big brother, which makes Nepal at times to be more friendly with China. Knowing fully well India's pre-eminent position in the South Asian region, Nepal has tried to assert its independence and identity. India, on the other hand, keeping in view its own security interests, is trying to give more aid and pursue a policy of friendship.

The papers included in this volume have been written by scholars and policy makers of both India and Nepal who have analysed the entire gamut of Indo-Nepal relations which includes security, economic and cultural relationship.

Nepal, with an area of 1,47,181 sq. km., is a land-locked country, which is situated between the two Asian super powers, India in the east, west and south and China in the north. The country is situated in the central Himalayan region between the Indo-Gangetic plain and Tibetan plateau. Topographically the country is characterised by three ecological zones - the Tarai, the hills and the mountain. Its cultural landscape is diverse: consisting of more than 60 ethnic groups, speaking as many as 60 dialects, more than six creeds co-exist in this narrow buffer state. Hinduism and Buddhism overlap and mingle with tribal tradition.

India and Nepal share many common social, political, economic predicament besides a long 1,750 km border which has made communication easier and possible. This, in turn, has informed each other's history, culture, tradition, political, economic and strategic relations. The border between India and Nepal is open and the flow of people is allowed without any restriction. In sharp contrast, it is not very easy for a common man in one SAARC country to travel to another without undergoing the cumbersome formalities of documentation. The only exception to such requirements is for travel between India and Nepal for nationals of either country, in accordance with the Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950. The advantage of an open border is felt by people living on both sides. At the same time the use of the open border is also a cause of concern when misused by criminals, smugglers and other subversive elements against Indian security interest. Article VII of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship grants citizens of both the countries to move, reside and own property and participate in trade and commerce in each other's territory. Both Nepal and India have accused each other of misusing this provision and exploiting the open border.

The editor has given a good account of India's security perception of South Asia in general and Nepal in particular. M. K. Bhattarai has made a detailed study of Indo-Nepalese relationship, both before and after the SAARC. He has observed that despite the ups and downs in the relationship, the Nepalese ruling elites have tried to adjust with the changes that have been brought by political realities. P. D. Kaushik has analysed the Gujral doctrine which tried to create better understanding between the two countries. He has successfully argued that the concessions provided by the Gujral doctrine are of very limited nature, since it is futile to expect reciprocity in bilateral relations between unequal neighbours like India and Nepal.

Nepal made use of the Sino-Indian differences and followed a policy of distancing from India to gain more aids and benefits from the global and regional powers. Yet India is Nepal's largest trading partner accounting for almost 30 per cent of its total trade. This book will be of interest to persons interested in Indo-Nepalese relationship.

C. A. PERUMAL

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