By punishing Nepal, a state that may be geographically smaller but has a bigger heart, India has nothing to be proud of in the international arena. In fact, India hasn’t done much to improve relations not just with Pakistan, but also with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Even Bhutan and the Maldives regard India with suspicion. By browbeating good neighbour Nepal to teach it a lesson by ruining its economy, the world is going to ask India: “What kind of superpower are you trying to be?” Power is not just about territory, population and military might – it is also about international legitimacy. By losing the confidence of neighbours on all four sides, India has jeopardised even its status as a regional power, and this can only have negative consequences for the aspirations of 1.25 billion Indians and their leader Narendra Modi. True, Nepal hasn’t tried to internationalise this sensitive diplomatic impasse, but a world exposed to social media is not unaware of what has been happening. The UN and the EU have already spoken out , tomorrow there will be more voices from all corners of the world. As the world’s largest democracy, India will find it difficult to defend why it is stopping the transportation of medicines and food to this earthquake-ravaged country. There is no alternative for India but to lift the blockade and restore its reputation. This is in the interest of both India and Nepal.
Karobar, 28 October
Fuel crisis is just the most visible mainfestation of India’s blockade against Nepal. In fact, it has affected Nepal’s overall economy already devastated by the April-May earthquakes. At a time when they should have been busy rebuilding the earthquake-devastated country, Nepalis are now forced to spend days and nights in petrol queues. This is unfortunate, to say the least.
It is already late to find solutions to problems created by the blockade. Diplomatic efforts to get the blockade lifted have already failed, and the government must now look beyond India to explore other sources of fuel.
India has cited protests by Madhesi people as the reason behind what it merely calls ‘a disruption of supplies’. To be sure, Madhesis have blocked only Birganj, but freight movement has not been allowed even through other border points. As a result, Kathmandu-New Delhi faceoff has hit its lowest point. So the blockade must end – India needs to lift it right now. We can’t take it anymore.
Kantipur, 28 October
The blockade imposed by India a month ago has adversely affected the country’s industries, businesses, transportation and thrown the lives of Nepalis into turmoil. The blockade also threatens the relations between the two countries. Even though there are no protesters at border crossings other than Birganj, India has refused to allow normal supply of fuel to Nepal.
This situation must come to an end. India should immediately end the blockade, which it has been imposing without any sort of explanation. Its interventionist activities in Nepal must also stop. For this to happen, Nepal’s rulers must not hesitate to raise the issue of the blockade in the international community.
Likewise, Madhesi protesters should also stop staging sit-ins at border points, vandalising buses and attacking travelers. They must work to find a peaceful solution to this crisis by stopping their protests and engaging in talks with the government. But the government must first create a conducive environment.
The talks that have begun with the protesters have been positive so far. As soon as possible, both the agitating parties and the government should find common ground and end an atmosphere that makes external intervention in our country possible.
Rajdhani, 28 October
India has been denying imposing a blockade in Nepal, blaming the current situation on the protests at the border. In recent days, however, there have been no protests in borders crossings other than Birganj. But supplies are not coming in even from these areas. The protesters on the other hand have continued to vandalise public vehicles. From current events it is clear that if both the government and the agitating parties don’t resolve the internal conflict, the pressure from India will build up further.
While India needs to lift the blockade on Nepal immediately, both the government and the disgruntled parties need to create a conducive environment for positive outcome of the ongoing dialogue. If both the parties move forward by bearing their responsibilities in mind, the agitating parties can be included in the mainstream.
Read also:
India-locked, Bihari K Shrestha
Blockade blues, Bidushi Dhungel