The major thing is to build trust between our two countries, two governments, and two peoples.
My visit to India, which begins today, has great historical significance.
Nepal is passing through a major political transition. We fought against feudal autocracy and monarchy, and for overall socio-economic transformation, for almost 60 years. At times, our movement was peaceful, and at times, violent. But the consistent goal was to abolish feudal autocracy and monarchy, and democratise the state and society. Ultimately, the major political parties — which included the Maoists and traditional parliamentary parties — reached an agreement in 2006 to overthrow the monarchy and institutionalise democracy through the Constituent Assembly (CA).
Peace, constitution and India
We succeeded in abolishing the monarchy, and ushering in a new democratic era in Nepal. We are now in the process of institutionalising achievements through the CA, accompanied by socio-economic transformation, and federal restructuring of the state. According to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), signed in November 2006, we are now trying to complete the specific task of army integration and other aspects of the peace process. We are also trying to complete the process of writing the Constitution through the CA. Only after wrapping up this entire process will these gains be institutionalised, and we will enter into a new era of democracy, change and development in Nepal.
The role of India in this process is crucial. Nepal and India share a very unique relationship. Nepal is sandwiched between two huge states of India and China. But we are virtually India-locked, as we have an open border on three sides. Most of our socio-economic interactions take place with India. Two-thirds of our annual trade is with India, while only 10 per cent is with China. Given this historic tilt towards India, our bilateral relationship is unique. When you have more interaction, you have more problems and more friction. At times, there are misgivings and misunderstandings on various issues — some are genuine, while others are born out of scepticism.
India played a positive role in the peace process in Nepal, and during our transition towards democracy. My visit, at this juncture when we are at the last stage of completing the peace process, assumes special significance. While the peace process is basically conceptualised and led by Nepali political forces, the goodwill of international forces, particularly our neighbours, is very important for its success.
Security and development
An important bilateral issue between Nepal and India is related to politics and security. Nepal virtually lies in the southern lap of the Himalayas, and shares borders with two huge states of Asia. This geopolitical reality has to be taken into account. Naturally, there would be political and security concerns of our neighbours which Nepal is committed to observe keeping in mind mutual interests. Nepal will not allow its soil to be used against the security interests of any of its neighbours. Another key issue is economic development and development of resources. In the present day world, the economy of every country is interlinked with that of others, especially neighbours. If we have to prosper, we can only prosper if we cooperate with each other. Poverty and underdevelopment in the neighbourhood will have a fallout, and hamper your own development.
India and China are developing at a fast pace. Nepal, lying between two fast-growing economies, cannot remain backward and under-developed. We will seek the cooperation of both our neighbours, especially India.
We have to find areas of economic co-operation for mutual benefit of India and Nepal. One major field is the exploitation of water resources for mutual benefit. The next is drawing in Indian investment to Nepal — we are committed to creating a conducive environment for investors and providing them security. The trade balance between our two countries has been quite skewed. Our trade deficit with India is quite huge. The import-export ratio is about 7:1, which is not sustainable. That is another area where we have to deepen our economic cooperation.
Personally, I have had the opportunity to get my education in India, and my area of interest has been economic development. I will try to utilise my relations developed over the years to enhance bilateral relations, especially designed towards maximising economic benefits for both sides.
If Nepal can develop faster, it can become a development partner for India. For India also, a more developed Nepal will be a better guarantee of its security as only with development, peace, and stability, there can be security. Security concerns cannot be treated in isolation, but must be viewed in totality. Security and economic development must be seen together.
Trust and goodwill
The visit to India is basically directed towards building a better understanding between the two countries and two peoples. In that sense, it is a goodwill visit.
My personal thrust would be to have a very free and frank discussion with my counterparts so that we can upgrade the relationship according to contemporary needs. The relations and agreements institutionalised in the 20th century may not be enough to meet the needs of the 21st century. Hence, the emphasis would be to develop our relations further, clear misgivings and misunderstandings that we have against each other, and sort out the problems left by history. When the subcontinent was colonised by the British, they left behind a legacy which has created friction among the nations of South Asia. We have to overcome that, and develop mutual relations in the changed time and context. Instead of harping on old disputes, Nepal would like to look forward, and create an atmosphere of cooperation.
There are certain political issues, which would need more discussions. We can engage on it freely and frankly, but they can be postponed for the future. The major thing is to build trust between our two countries, two governments, and two peoples. Once there is trust, and we are sensitive and empathise with each other, even the most difficult issues can be resolved amicably.
A new era
To reiterate, instead of pushing any specific agenda, I want to talk about all the issues in a friendly spirit, with the aim of conveying and understanding bilateral concerns. This will also be an opportunity to interact with those outside government, especially civil society, media, and intelligentsia. Given my long association with Delhi, I have several personal acquaintances there and look forward to renewing those relationships.
It is my strong conviction that my current visit to New Delhi will usher in a new era in our bilateral relations. Nepal is in the last phase of completing its peace process, and is about to enter a new phase of peace and development. Our new bilateral relationship, which will be based on a strong development dimension, can bring about peace and prosperity.
My dream is to have an inclusive democracy, sustainable peace and prosperity in this part of the world. Nepal will try to contribute its best to foster that relation among all the countries of South Asia. Nepal-India relations can be developed as a model of cooperation between neighbours. I am quite confident that after this visit, traditional misgivings between the different actors in Nepal and India will substantially be cleared, and a foundation for better partnership for development in the 21st century would be laid.
(H.E Dr. Baburam Bhattarai is the Prime Minister of Nepal. He arrives in New Delhi today, on his first bilateral visit after taking office.)
Keywords: India, Nepal, Indo-Nepal relations, bilateral ties, Constituent Assembly, Comprehensive Peace Agreement
Primarily I appreciate the statement of honorable Baburam Bhattarai.And i hope that Baburam Bhattarai will continue the same friendly attitude towards India.So both the countries should try to resolve the injustice treaties in a friendly manner.India should also play its role to have cordial relation with Nepal.
Everything is all right except the comments from Shristi Rana and Manoj Mainali...who seemed bogus Nepalis. First of all about Manoj Mainali....nobody in nepal think they are Hindustani..we are all nepalis in here....and secondly talking about Shristi's one...Nepal was never part of india. These kind of sentiments and speech from Indian people and rulers are the main cause of distrust between Nepal and India...Long Live Nepal and Same to you India...
The article is nice and really linked with our bright future will help for our prosperity.
The visit of Nepalese Prime Minister to India is very significant. The big trade gap between the two countries should be reduced to develop trust and cooperation. This is an opportunity for India to show the goodwill towards Nepal and get involved with the development of infra-structure, community development and development of democratic instituitons in Nepal. The development of democracy is at a very slow pace in Nepal. There are very little natural resources in Nepal. The development of water resources in Nepal will be useful for the supply of more water and electricity to India. If India did not take advantage of these opportunities in Nepal with heavy investment in Nepal, China is waiting to jump in, creating a nightmare for India. A democratic prosperous Nepal is always an asset for the national security of India.
JP Narayanan had summed up India-Nepal relations beautifully in the 1950s : 'Nepal is a part of us yet an independent sovereign country.'
His statement still remains valid for better India-Nepal relations today.
As I am experiencing here in Nepal that the relation between Nepal and
India is in mutual distrust. Although we both countries and all the
people living here are only separated politically as Nepali and Hindustani but when we look history and our religious
belief,cultures,system then nobody feels that where is Indian and
where is Nepali? we like to say proudly that oh, we are HINDUSTANI
although we live in the Nepal's portion or in India's portion
respectively. So, I always pray to Pashupatinath for the good
relation between Nepal and India. Our Great God led our PM to the
right direction of mutual trust and good relation between the people
as well as government of both countries.
Jay Pashupatinath!!!!!
As we know both india and Nepal are having very close ethnic, religious and cultural ties.Nepal shares its boundary from three sides with India.Therefore it is very much necessary for both countries not to facilitate infiltration and insurgency.only a strong and prosperous neighbour can help a country to grow freely.this is high time for a strong political and economic cooperation and sharing between the two. Visit of Mr Bhattarai might be a huge success in this regard.I hope Indian policy makers & politicians will respond positively and will try to maintain a healthy relationship with our closest historical ally.
Finally, Asia has woken up to the fact that for years, the Leaders have wasted time and money pursuing lofty ideals, when economic progress was pushed to one side. Countries have followed a foreign policy that made little sense. Now, even the US has recognized that India's foreingn policy is driven by economic interests and this is setting new standards. Dr. Singh must be complimented for this shift in focus. It is a true validation of this policy that the Honorable Prime Minister of Nepal too is promoting. the entire region will flourish with open borders and economic boom and this alone will reduce tension. India has done a great job enlisting the support of Bangladesh, Srilanka, Mynanmar and now Nepal. The icing on the cake will be a trade deal with Pakistan. Bravo, Dr. Singh!
The relationship between Nepal and India must be developed keeping friendly and cooperative manner without any types of interference, discrimination removing previous injustice treaty and agreements in the harmonious ways to bring permanent peace, prosperity and stability in South Asian region.
Barring a few countries, India does not have a very good relations with its neighboring countries. And for development and peace of a nation friendly relations with its neighboring country is a must. The vision projected for Indo-Nepal Relation by HE Baburam Bhaattarai, Prime Minister of Nepal has given a hope and new lease of life to ailing Indo-Nepal Relations. The big advantage with Baburam Bhattarai is that he is educated in India unlike many of his predecessors he has first hand information on many bilateral issues and sentiments shaping relations between the two countries. Now it is up to New Delhi to nurture and handle this new relations carefully.
Its a good time that our Pm Dr. BRB should raise the issues like capturing of Nepali land by Indian police near boarder, the problem of looting faced by Nepali citizens across the boarders, tortures faced by Nepali while returning from India and seek assistance from Indian govt. Besides talks for bilateral trade should be given greater importance. It's true that majority of young people here in Nepal hate India, but because of the reasons above-mentioned. Nobody likes other capturing their land, isn't so? But then we still have hope, we do respect Indian, We do watch Indian Movie, listen Hindi Songs, Like Indian Cricket. Hope this visit creates a better environment for mutual benefit of both countries. All the best Dr. BRB.
In 1970s when Nepal came forward with a new foreign policy reasserting its sovereignty and its identity that it feared was being submerged by Indian domination it was not handled properly by Indian side. Every country has right to enjoy its sovereignty. The Nepali foreign policy should not be misunderstood as its effort to distance itself from Indian side. Due to its special geographical location Nepal has to sought help of china for its development programmes and it should be taken in a good spirit by Indian government. Its fortunate for India that Nepal is still inclined towards Indian side compare to china. so the trust should be maintained.
Welcome Mr. Prime Minister to India. You have zeroed in on the right vision i.e economic progress for the region. Clearly, Dr. Singh has successfully shown that a Foreign Policy driven by economic growth augers well for the whole World. India is embarked on a clear mission of engaging with all its neighbours and infact all Asia with a view to improving trade ties. Nepal has a huge strategic role to complement India's vision and these discussions in Delhi will make a difference to the region
well, our pm bhattrai is not only the leader from any party he is the
true representative of nepalese, well relationship of india and nepal is
like brothers since many century,but Indian bureaucracy is hindering
this relationship, capturing nepali land(kalapani )establishing indian
army's camp sucks the relationship and giving harassment to nepale in border area , such activities should stop and we all nepalese younger
hate such activities not india as nation , long live indo-nepal relationship .........................jai nepal
The sentiments of Mr Bhattarai seem ostensibly rational and realistic. India does need to maintain good relations with all her neighbours, as much as these are possible, so goodwill visits such as the Nepali PM's and that of the Bangladeshi PM are very welcome. Of course, no doubt the China card will be paid on many occasions. In this one article, China has already been mentioned 3 times. We know, and our neighbours know that we know, that if we do negotiate good terms with them, the Chinese will fill the void.
And this does not mean completely leaning on to one of them but to maintain friendly relations with everyone but having ideology of one of the growth engines. Mr. Bhattarai Sir I would once again appreciate your efforts for friendly relations with India and would expect Indian leaders to reciprocate. Thanks
And since things and ideologies change so frequently we may not reach much distance from both the sides and remain almost at the same place where we had started. I would like people and leadership of Nepal to have long term plans and vision and choose their paths wisely so that things can move forward and changes can be seen by common citizens of both the countries. Also beware of the fact that the gain Nepal can get by good long-term relationship would be enormous compared to the loss beared by any of these economic powers. So it becomes very important for Nepal to think in terms of choosing one partner and ideology for a long term rather than changing ideologies frequently, more than the leaders it is for common citizens of Nepal to make up mind as leaders come and Go but citizen's preferences makes Governments and PMs.
First of all as a citizen of India I welcome you to our country and i moreover I offer warmest welcome to your thoughts with which you had come here. With whatever little knowledge i have about this bilateral relationship, i feel ofcourse Indian leaders should help its brother with whatever it can do and vice versa. India is quite a stable country and only soft power in the world. Nepal has to understand this that as it has been sandwiched between both India and China and both are growing economically tremendously the people and Government in Nepal always have these two ideologies (Indian Democracy and Chinese Communism) running in their minds as to which way is better Indian or Chinese and as we have seen since decades when a pro indian becomes a PM he supports and receives support from India and also if a pro-chinese ideological PM comes to power he gives and gets support from china.
Dr.Bhattarai, Welcome to India again.We wish your trip is successful and hope to remain good neighbours and friends forever.
I also hope one day we could have open borders with Sri Landa and Bangladesh and really hope to resolve all issues with Pakistan.I wish to see sucessful, peaceful, Democratic countries all around our neighbourhood.Then eternal peace will not remain a dream but becomes practical.
it is my firm believe that this visit will become milestone in India-Nepal relation as i know Baburam Bhattarai is open hearted person
and he will not hide anything that obstruct betterment of both the
country.
Easier said that done. If only Bhattarai's comrades agreed and backed him. Academic writing and wishful thinking come easy; not pragmatic actions. We need pragmatic action from Nepal's still-rebelling, weird Maoist party, as well as India, the big brother, which needs to pre-2000 IK Gujaral days and starts afresh (Has any Indian PM visited Kathmandu after Gujaral in 1997? Diplomacy has got to be mutual and reciprocal. It's time India woke up to the reality, if it wants positivism amongst the people in he Himalayan buffer neighbour).
Article by Nepal prime minister on relations between two countries, makes it important to understand the gravity of developing bilateral relations. As a custom, it has been followed since 70's that the newly elected head of the state of neighbour country, visiting India and assuring their support and bilateral ties. For India, to say of all neighbour countries, Nepal has special significance for its geographical loaction as its sandwich between two countries, having different ideals for development and running of state. Making this as oppourtunity, India need to make strong, reliable partnership and ties to make it nation that helps in controlling the aggressive growth and approach from China. As two nations share culture and open border transit, India should focus on developing infrastructure, education, hospitals and humanitarion needs. As a fact, India has to consider the line of credit to Nepal, taking in view of the govt. and heads that run the state.
The words of the Honourable Prime Minister of Nepal are very welcome and refreshing indeed. Having visited Nepal a few times and interacted fairly extensively with Nepalese people, it is easy to see how much the people of India and Nepal have in common. But it is alarming and strange to experience open hatred for India, from many people, especially youngsters, that I came across in Nepal. They believe that India treats Nepali people badly, and that India is a threat! It is hard for me to understand, because I have never experienced any sort of animosity or misgivings expressed by any Indian towards anything Nepali. While this may be one side of the coin, it is worth examining closely, considering the open border between our countries are not likely to become closed borders anytime soon.
We really appreciate, Mr Bhattarai, what he is doing and thinking is tremendous. He is a very charming and positive thinking leader from Nepal, so we Nepalese people heartily love and believe him, and we hope Indian people also love him.
I hope Dr. Baburam will be able to resolve conflicting treaties signed in the past.
Nepal had it's own version of a people's revolt and have freed themselves from feudalism. Nepal is still reorganizing itself politically. Indians consider Nepal as it's closest ally, as our relations go back to thousands of years. However in recent years I see Chinese and even Pakistan cozying with Nepal, no one doubts their sinister desings of encircling India and destabilizing it. I hope and pray that Nepal and India will always treat Each other as family members and never be swayed by others.
This article is a breath of fresh air compared to the ideological and hidebound zero-sum game promoted by former prime minister, Prachanda. Yet, it must be remembered that both Prachanda and Bhattarai belong to the same party. Nepal's failure to develop and its corrupt culture is now also a reflection of Maoist failure and their inability to put the good of Nepalese people ahead of their ideological imperatives. Furthermore, any attempt by Maoists to clamp down on free speech rights, as in the case of arbitrary detention of Tibetan monks, must be firmly resisted. It is in Indian interest to promote development of Nepal but it should not lead to the subjugation of the Nepalese people under an anti-democratic dispensation.
Nepal is our own country and Nepalis are like our brothers.I live in border areas with nepal and i can't see any difference between us. People have relatives in Nepal and people frequently visit Nepal and Nepalis come to India. We are a unique relationship with open border that should be continued . If there is any differences that should be sorted out through talks...
It makes eminent sense for India to be generous with Nepal in helping it build up its economy. A prosperous and self-confident Nepal would be a partner for India in securing against insurgents and safeguarding Indian investments in Nepal. One area of immediate cooperation is generating renewable energy by harnessing the enormous potential for hydro-power in Nepal whereby excess electricity may be exported back to a energy deficient India. India should allow Nepal preferential terms to access Indian road system to make use of the ports in Bangladesh which would build goodwill for India in both Nepal and Bangladesh while contributing to their respective economies.
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