On/Off the Record
By P.R. Pradhan
How a wrong leadership troubles a nation and its people that we saw in Ukraine.
A comedian, Volodymyr Zelenskyy was elected as the president of Ukraine. He challenged Russian security under the provocation of the USA. His desire to join NATO and take membership of the European Union became so costly for Ukraine’s sovereignty.
This is a lesson for the small countries having big and powerful neighbours. If introduced a wrong foreign policy, small countries may face a crisis from the powerful neighbouring countries. Of course, one can argue on the right of self-decision for the Ukraine people and the government, in the meantime, enmity with the neighbouring country can be costly, that Ukraine is the example.
Ukrainian people, who were living peacefully in their own country, are compelled to leave the motherland and take shelter in the neighbouring countries as refugees.
We don’t appreciate war and we are not in favour of the military invasion in Ukraine by a mighty nation Russia. However, from the Russian point of view, the arrival of the NATO forces across the Russian border could be a security threat for Russia, therefore, Russia was compelled for military action.
Still, the Ukrainian president is provoking armless Ukrainian people to fight against the Russian military, which is nonsense.
The foreign policy blunder committed by the Ukraine president is that neither the Americans came to fight against Russia nor the NATO force came to support the Ukrainian army, nor the EU countries became ready to provide the EU membership.
The Americans wanted a war by dragging Russia and also the Americans are provoking the European countries to be engaged in war. There is a sole business interest of the USA, which many of the European countries have understood. In fact, the Americans want to drag China on war, which the Chinese leadership has understood better.
Nepal’s wrong stepping:
Nepal’s foreign policy principles are based on non-alignment and the geopolitical reality of a “yam between the two big boulders” identified by Great King Prithivi Narayan Shah has not been changed. The Great King had also identified that the neighbour in the south is cunning and thus remain alert with her and take the northern neighbour into confidence, which has been described in the Divine Counsel. Even today, the foreign policy guidelines by the Great King are significant and we are not in a position to cross the red line.
As per our outstanding foreign policy, Nepal could only say officially to both Russia and Ukraine to end the present war and resolve the disputes through peaceful talks.
Unfortunately, the Nepal government under the leadership of Sher Bahadur Deuba wished to jump towards the American camp by annoying Russia, a friendly nation.
After issuance of the statement in favour of Ukraine, Deuba, as a reward, received a call from Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State, who is the chief of the US President’s foreign affairs advisor. Both Deuba and Blinken decided to work together in days to come.
Deuba, known to be pro-American and pro-Indian, is happy that he has served the American interests, however, he has crossed the redline limit of the Nepali foreign policy.
Now, the communist parties in the alliance government — CPN Unified Socialist and Maoist Center — are equally responsible for issuing such a statement favouring Ukraine’s stance. Already, they, including the UML, are seen in favour of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, a controversial grant project for Nepal, and now, they are seen in favour of Ukraine or say the USA.
Foreign policy in doldrums:
When there was the Nepal Communist Party-led government in Nepal, Nepal supported Nicolas Maduro, the president of Venezuela against the Western blockade and demonstration against the latter.
Maduro’s son visited Nepal at the invitation of the ruling CPN. Actually, we don’t have any working relations with Venezuela.
Nepal, as the chair of the SAARC organization, had to speak on the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, a SAARC member country. Nepal’s role in resuming the SAARC summit is vital but it has remained silent. On different disputed issues including the Kalapani-Limpiyuadhara and Lipulek territory, Nepal should have raised her concern with India, but the present leaderships are silent on the issue.
Nepali citizens are unable to know the Nepali priorities and Nepal’s foreign policy bases. If such a trend will continue, it may invite a serious crisis. Already, along with the MCC ratification, Nepal has become the ground for a tussle of foreign powers.
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