When the interim parliament met to discuss his government's policies and programs Prime Minister Girija Koirala didn't bother to appear. It was later learnt he had gone for the inauguration of the new US embassy, and that he and outgoing ambassador James Moriarty laid on the mutual admiration thickly. He called the US ambassador the "spokesman for democracy".
The ambassadors of the US, UK, and India emerged as powerful after 11 months of the king's direct rule. They backed the \'twin pillar' theory that the king and the parties must work together. They went door-to-door visiting politicians to promote this doctrine. This policy was doomed to failure and the king staged his coup. Then came the 12-point agreement, and Moriarty tried his best to sabotage the alliance between the parties and the Maoists. But he couldn't counter the people's force.
The Indians and Americans would have united to cut the Maoists down to size and they did. What interest does America, from across the seven seas, have in Nepal? Why should India interfere? But it is clear that both countries are involved in the current instability here.
India is an emerging regional power and it wants a monopoly in the Nepali market, to dominate the expansion of capital. It needs the \'white gold' of our hydropower and water to drive its economy. But even India doesn't have enough capital to invest to develop these sectors, and needs American multinationals involved.
Nepal is a strategic buffer zone. Putting these two factors together, there is convergence of Indian and American geopolitical interest here. By mobilising people like Jayakrishna Goit, Upendra Yadav, and Jwala Singh, it can kill two birds with one stone: maintain the status quo, keep Nepal on even keel with Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, and have an upperhand in discussions over natural resources.
Modern imperialism is not easy to understand. It is no more about military conquest, but an open wallet. When Koirala was praising Moriarty, the prime minister didn't realise he'd become America's stooge. Or did he just pretend not to know? What Koirala should understand is that he is the leader of an independent and sovereign nation put in office by the people's movement, not by Moriarty or Shiv Shankar Mukherjee.
