By Shashi P.B.B. Malla
The broad spectrum of educated Nepalese, especially the so-called ‘intelligentsia’, may not agree with all aspects of official Indian government policy.
This is the case with India’s foreign policy, neighbourhood policy and trade.
India’s interference in our ‘internal affairs’ is too rampant and jarring. Sometimes it takes on the aspect of even ‘micro-management’ of our domestic politics.
The Indian establishment doesn’t like it, but our independent and dynamic non-aligned foreign policy is sacrosanct.
In the realm of external affairs, New Delhi and Beijing must remain ‘equi-distant’. We do respect the two great civilizations of Asia on an equal footing and we would like to keep both as arms’ length. However, as former King Gyanendra suggested, we would like to function as a bridge between the two.
All this being said and conceded, there is no doubt that the people-to-people contact with India is special.
There are ethnic and religious affinities. Many Nepalese receive their school and higher education in India. Many go for medical treatment – especially our politicians at the state’s expense.
With all this in mind, it is indeed not only strange but downright backward of us not to take advantage of India’s proximity.
India’s is already the world’s fifth largest economy and may soon become the third largest after the United States and China, edging out Japan and Germany.
It has become a major player in world politics – with leadership roles in the G-20 and the BRICS organization.
Its major activities in domestic economics, international trade, international organizations and international security [in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond] defines it as an emerging ‘great power’.
With its remarkable Moon landing at its South Pole, India is now a ‘space power’ – only the fourth in the world.
In the field of health – pharmaceuticals and vaccines – it is undoubtedly a key power. We should not forget that during the Covid-19 pandemic, India generously donated vaccines to the Global South – while Western countries selfishly hoarded them.
So what is holding us back from much more closer cooperation with India?
In the first instance, it is our political leaders who tend to be reactive and not proactive.
Most are too uneducated and lack domestic and international experience. Consequently, they are at a terrible disadvantage vis-à-vis their Indian counterparts.
Then there is the significant aspect that they are too busy lining their own pockets as to be thinking of the country’s interests.
They completely lack vision and strategic thinking.
Hopefully, the younger generation of Nepalese will see the light of day and reap the benefits of closer cooperation with our next door neighbor.
We need to cultivate close cooperation in the fields of:
- Education
For starters, we could learn from India and establish a high-profile and cutting-edge ‘Nepal Institute of Technology’.
- Health
We should similarly establish a higher institute of teaching, research and training for advanced degrees in medicine, pharmacy and public health.
- Tourism
We should be doing much more to promote Nepal, not only in adventure tourism, but also in the cultural and religious sectors.
- Trade
Experienced economists should negotiate a more fairer commercial relationship.
- Manufacturing
We may not have the capacity for large-scale industries, but smaller ones could work closer with Indian manufacturing.
Nepal would not be empty-handed. India would also benefit from such close cooperation.
Hiding in plain sight is an outstanding Nepali personality [who is too reserved to come forward] who is highly esteemed, even venerated in Hindustan and could be our trump card in rejuvenating our mutual relations. He has the stature, he has the connections, and above all possesses the charisma to bring Nepal-Bharat relations to a new and unimagined level!
Geography is not enough, self-realization and vision must be part of the equation.
The writer can be reached at: shashipbmalla@hotmail.com
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect People’s Review’s editorial stance.
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