28 November-4 December 2014 #734

Modi grills RAW

Sanghu, 17 November

India’s foreign policy vis-à-vis Nepal is expected to see a departure from the past after Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his displeasure about the way bilateral relations have been handled by India’s foreign policy establishment and spy agencies. The briefing preceded Modi’s forthcoming visit to Kathmandu for the SAARC Summit. Highly placed BJP sources said RAW Chief Alok Joshi became nervous when he couldn’t satisfactorily answer Modi’s questions about why India wasn’t pursuing a policy of stability and peace in Nepal.

Modi has praised Nepal’s peace process and strides towards democracy as being a “role model” at the UN General Assembly and at the Republic Day function at Delhi’s Red Fort in August. During his last visit to Nepal, he had told Nepali leaders to be united for prosperity. The spy chief is said to have been unable to provide a clear answer to Modi when queried about Nepal’s present political situation and the constitution. “You do a good job, but there is no doubt you have tried to manipulate things,”

odi was quoted as saying. Modi also asked about the when and what kind of constitution would be written, and if it would be acceptable to all Nepalis, and if not, why not. What would be the negative fallout of a constitution not acceptable to the people? What is the position of the ex-king and the monarchists? What has been the position of other countries on the politics, religion and society in Nepal? The intelligence chiefs were speechless after this barrage of questions.