(Sample Material) Study Kit on Current Affairs for UPSC Mains Examination
Biodiversity, Environment, Security & Disaster Management: Bringing India-Nepal ties back on track
Rajesh Singh
India heaved a sigh of relief after Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ assumed charge as Nepal’s Prime Minister earlier this month. New Delhi had got tired of and frustrated with the predecessor KP Sharma Oli regime, which appeared determined to undo the new warmth that had crept into the India-Nepal bilateral after Narendra Modi became Prime Minister in May 2014. Modi was quick to congratulate Prachanda and invite him to India.
Note the contrast: When Prachanda had become Prime Minister for the first time in mid-2008, India had viewed the development with some alarm. After all, the Maoist leader didn’t exactly have a track record of being India-friendly. New Delhi’s worst fears were soon realised. Ironically, India had played a crucial role in clearing the way for Prachanda’s elevation, by persuading the monarchy to walk into the sunset; nudging the dominant Nepali Congress to do business with the Maoist leader; and convincing the Prachanda-led Maoists to give up arms and join the political mainstream. New Delhi had not reckoned, though, with the prospect of Prachanda forming a Government.
This change in attitude from 2008 to 2016 speaks volumes about how and where
India-Nepal relations have progressed. There are indicators that the new Prime
Minister will make his first official visit to India — as per a long-standing
convention. It could be in September or October. New Delhi will view this
positively, given that Prachanda had chosen China over India for his first
official visit when he became Prime Minister in 2008.
The first few steps that the new Nepalese Prime Minister takes will set the
tenor for the development of the relationship between New Delhi and Kathmandu.
Prachanda has demonstrated some indication of change in style. He has admitted,
“Last time I was inexperienced in the ways of competitive democracy. We (the
Maoists) still had a mind-set from the insurgency years.”