By Shashi P.B.B. Malla
Like a thief at night, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi secretly visited the Kalapani Nepali territory in far Western Nepal.
[The German word “Reich” means empire, realm, kingdom, domain. Thus, the Third Reich was the third German empire under the Nazis. Modi was visiting a part of the ‘Ancient Bharat’ realm and was, therefore, on home ground according to the Indian establishment].
For the record, it should be noted that during the reign of King Mahendra, the government had allowed the establishment of an Indian military check-post. This was because of Indian security concerns in their border dispute with China.
From the Nepalese side this was considered to be a temporary affair and a friendly gesture. However, the Indian stayed put and never vacated the sovereign Nepalese territory.
As the Nepali proverb goes: ‘Give them a finger, and they’ll take the whole hand!’
In fact, with time on their side the Indian government even considered it to be Indian territory in contravention of the Treaty of Sugauli signed between Nepal and the British East India Company after the Anglo-Gorkha War 1814-16.
Unfortunately, China, without considering historical facts, signed a bilateral agreement with India facilitating trade and religious tourism through Nepalese territory in Lipulekh.
No doubt, Nepal’s position was considerably weakened by the Sino-Indian collusion and the long period of inaction by successive Nepalese governments.
However, recent events had made it amply clear that the Kalapani was under dispute.
The former premier K.P. Sharma Oli thought he could out-fox Modi with the publication of the extended ‘Nepal Map’. But the whole political exercise was all in vain.
Instead, he should have opted for international arbitration.
As the great strategist Sun Tzu said:
“Victory comes from finding opportunities in problems.”
[ Nepal’s potential savior will take this to heart ].
Modi and the Indian government should have had the diplomatic courtesy of informing Nepal – India’s closest neighbour since time immemorial – of Modi’s impending visit.
But no, Modi chose to come as an intruder and arrogant, power-saturated scoundrel to demonstrate that India is supreme in South Asia, and that he is ‘monarch of all that he surveys.’
Modi, of course, does not have the guts to visit the disputed Aksai Chin plateau in Ladakh under Chinese administration.
Cowardly Nepalese Government
The Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government – as usual – did not have the guts to protest. How could they, being lackeys of the Bharatis?
His ministers do not act like real Nepalese/Gorkhalis but more like robots controlled from afar or like real Bharatis.
Being direct or indirect stooges of Bharat, the leaders are ‘Nepali in name only’ – NINOS.
In fact, the domestic chaos is reflected in its foreign policy. It is even not willing and able to do two simple things:
- play the Chinese card more aggressively and
- intensify relations with other South Asian countries and undercut India’s role as the neighbourhood bully.
Without disturbing or irritating the Bharatis, the foreign minister could at least direct the ministry’s own Institute of Foreign Affairs to promote specialization of the individual countries of South Asia. Officers from the ministry and the institute should then deepen relations with academic, research and state institutions in all the countries – also with personal visits. Within a short period of time, the ministry and the institute would be well equipped to offer sound advice to the big bosses.
As Sun Tzu also said:
“In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.”
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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