Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, has on 16th September, 2016 discussed a wide range of issues with Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, the Prime Minister of Nepal. Among the most important issues that both the prime ministers discussed were ways in which bilateral relations could be improved further and the political process presently being followed in Nepal. Modi has stated that India shares a unique relationship with Nepal that has stood the test of time. According to him, both the countries have endured some tough phases in their bilateral relationship and at the same time have celebrated the achievements made by the other.
Shared objectives
Modi has said that – and rightly so – India and Nepal are immediate neighbours and share very good relations with each other. Both the countries want to make sure that Nepal remains peaceful and stable. He has also spoken about the security concerns that both the neighbours share, besides shedding light on the growth and development goals shared by both the countries.
Shared interests
As per Modi, the security interests of India are linked to Nepal and vice versa. Both the countries agree that in order to attain growth and development it is first important to maintain a semblance of peace that would allow such efforts to materialize and gain fruition.
In order to make sure that both the countries are safe and sound, Modi has stated that the security and defence agencies of India and Nepal should continue to cooperate with each other, considering the fact that the border shared by both the countries is an open one. Regarding the recent meeting of both the countries, Modi has stated that it would go a long way in strengthening the relationship that dates back to centuries. He also expects it to add another glorious chapter to their association.
As per a tweet by Vikas Swarup, Spokesperson of External Affairs Ministry, delegates from both the countries did a full review of each and every aspect of their bilateral relationship at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.
Rounding up
It is an old saying that any and every relationship is based on trust. The biggest issue with the common people of Nepal – who are very friendly and courteous – is that they normally feel that India has had a hand to play in everything wrong that has ever happened in the country in the last few years.
The biggest evidence of that has been the repeated occasions when they have believed in rumours regarding disparaging comments made by Hrithik Roshan or perhaps an ill-advised comment by Madhuri Dixit. Instead of according neglect to such comments – actual and otherwise – they have gone up in arms, thus, creating a law and order problem. Till a few years ago, there used to be a fair bit of tension between Indian-origin Nepalese living in Terai, and Gurkhas, who resided mostly in the high mountains.
Even when King Birendra of Nepal and his wife Queen Aishwarya were murdered by Prince Dipendra, a lot of local people believed that India had something to do with it – they believed that it wanted Gyanendra Shah on the throne to suit its own interests and that is why members of the royal family had to lose their lives. Nepalese people have been rather passionate, but maybe their fervent emotions have not always found the right expression especially with regard to India.
Even at the administrative level, there have been some issues of concern. The Maoist Party of Nepal has always had rather bittersweet relations with India and in general the political bureaucracy of this Himalayan nation has always complained that India has forever bypassed and neglected it.
This was especially the case during the UPA regime that preceded the present NDA rule. Relations have been better of late with India providing a helping hand and more during the aftermath of the recent earthquakes. It seems that things are stable and well for the time-being. One can only hope that this lasts for long and both the countries can reach a stage in their relation that allows both of them to grow.
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