By Our Political Analyst
The Kathmandu visit of India’s notorious external intelligence organization Research and Analysis Wing’s chief Samant Goel became very controversial and our Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is facing criticism from his own party colleagues for holding one-on-one talks with him at his official residence that too at midnight.
However, the visit of Indian Army Chief Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane at the invitation of Nepal’s Chief of Army Staff Gen Purna Chandra Thapa was out of controversy and the Nepali side has taken the visit as an effort for improving Nepal-India relations by ending the ongoing no-talking relations between the two countries.
Following the visit of Indian Army Chief Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane, Indian foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla is arriving Kathmandu to resume secretary-level bilateral talks between Nepal and India.
In India, the Indian Army is considered as a highly regarded institution. The political sector takes any advice or suggestions from its army very seriously. The Indian government also uses military diplomacy during crucial times.
In the past also, the military leadership of both countries had played an important role in the normalization of the situation. When India had imposed an economic blockade on Nepal in 2015, the Indian Army had suggested the Indian government to lift the blockade as that was counterproductive for India. The then Nepal Army chief Gen Rajendra Thapa had lobbied his Indian counterpart during his formal visit to India.
This time, Nepal Amy chief Gen Thapa has played the role to break the ice of the Nepal-India no-talking relations. Meanwhile, Nepal has become successful to convey the message to the Indian leaders via Gen Naravane.
Nepal’s President Bidya Devi Bhandari, while conferring honorary General of the Nepal Army, requested Gen Naravane to resume talks between Nepal and India. The Indian General, on the occasion, has assured to convey her message to the Indian leaderships.
Accordingly, Gen Naravane paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who is also looking after the Defence portfolio. During the meeting, PM Oli is learnt to have asked to resolve all the disputed issues through the bilateral talks.
Accordingly, addressing the concern expressed by his Indian counterpart Gen Thapa had assured Gen Naravane that Nepal will never allow her soil to be used by any foreign elements against any of the countries.
Gen Thapa, in his brief address at the formal dinner hosted by him in honour of his Indian counterpart at the Nepal Army headquarters, is learnt to have said that the Nepal Army is committed for respecting Nepali people’s verdict and aspiration.
According to a Nepal Army retired general who had also attended the function, informed that Gen Thapa also opined to regulate Nepal-India international borders as it is crucial to the security of both the countries.
Gen Thapa also made clear the NA stance, said to his Indian counterpart, “We attach high importance to the right to exercise sovereignty and abiding by the principle of neutrality”.
“Nepal being cognizant about the vital interests of its neighbours and committed to not allowing our territory to be used against them likewise expecting the same reciprocity and assurance in return”, Gen Thapa had remarked while responding the concern expressed by the Indian Army chief Gen Naravane on the increasing presence of China in Nepal.
Gen Thapa didn’t forget to disseminate the message that the Nepal Army makes its own decisions by honouring people’s verdict.
To conduct the visit in an environment where his irresponsible remarks had angered Nepali public, was itself a big challenge. Ensuring his physical safety as well as saving him from the embarrassment of the black flag was difficult. Likewise, the visit was taking place at a time when there existed increasing anti-India sentiment among the people. To make success the visit in such a time was a big challenge.
Managing expectations was also a challenge since people were terming it to be the ice breaker when bilateral diplomatic channels were non-functional.
Despite a series of challenges, the Nepal Army conducted the visit very successfully. Although twitter army was full of negative comments on his visit, very less and only symbolic opposition characterized during his visit. Most of the other mainstream media and intellectuals welcomed his visit and put the visit in the greater context of national interest.
The visit gave an impression of a breakthrough, conveyed India’s priority in Nepal and paved the way forward for other areas of engagement.
General Thapa is learnt to have fulfilled his promise to raise issues at the opportune time and appropriate forum when he was questioned for remaining silent against Gen Narvane’s controversial remarks that Nepal was provoked by some other else to claim on Kalapani. Gen Thapa, at that time, had said that he would give a reply at the opportune time and appropriate forum.
CoAS Gen Thapa had hosted a dinner in honour of his Indian counterpart Gen Naravane on Thursday at the Nepal Army headquarters.
The same day in the afternoon, Gen Thapa and his Indian counterpart had held talks on bilateral cooperation and welfare of both the institutions.
Both the supreme Army officers had also held one-on-one talks after the group meeting.
The Annapurna Post daily, quoting high-level Army sources, has stated that during the one-on-one talks, the Indian General had expressed concern on the increasing presence of China in Nepal. In response, Gen Thapa is learnt to have said that Nepal will never allow her soil to be used against any of the countries.
During the meeting, both the Generals had discussed on Nepal-India border dispute and military cooperation, the daily has reported.
Both the Generals have expressed their eagerness to play the role of coordinator in resolving border dispute between the two nations.
The Indian General had also enquired about the alleged border encroachment by China appeared in different media. The Foreign Ministry of Nepal has already clarified about the issue. On this, General Thapa had replied that the Nepal Army stands with the Nepal Government’s authentic stance.
General Naravane, concluding his three-day visit to Nepal, had remarked that he is returning home by carrying the message of further strengthening Nepal-India relations.
General Narvane had arrived here on Wednesday, 4 November and returned on Friday, 6 November.
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