Why is this hue and cry for?

Our prime minister has the right to visit any country in the world before paying a visit to India. So there is no need to talk about China or even Olympics.

By Basanta Lohani

Sometimes, but often in crucial times, politicians burn the candle at both ends to twist events for making issues out of no issue. To this end, they even use the media in an apparently deceitful way. It may be partly due to their weird perception or fallout of bullying psyche. In either case, the primary objective is to influence the behavior of the protagonist. Alternatively, this kind of overplay is usually intended to change the transaction mode. A case in point now is Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s recent visit to China before India.

The operative part is that the Indian politicians and their media are making a hue and cry because Dahal went to China without India’s concurrence. The voice in the text resembling patriarchal lore alerts our prime minister as if he has committed a breach of promise. It is all loaded with ‘how you dare could ignore our advice’ overtone. As it seems, they are working in devising ways to chide him.

Dahal went to China representing Nepal in the closing ceremony of the 29 th summer Olympic. Because of the ceaseless political wrangling with his coalition partners over allocation of portfolios and seniority positions, he was able to form his cabinet just a day before he left for Beijing. Was there time for him to visit India before China? Absolutely no. Does it mean then that he should not go to Olympic at all? That again is a big no because it is the prestige of the Nepali people to have their representation at the level of the head of the government. So why is this hue and cry for? To find the answer, a cursory look over the past is necessary.

Nepal was never colonised the way India was by the British for two hundred years. However, after execution of Sugauli treaty in 1816, the Imperial Britain’s role became decisive. Their blessings was always sought after to remain or to ascend to power. Even being the prime minister for life in his second inning, Jung Bahadur Rana went to India, commanding regiments of Nepali Army, to crush the Sepoy mutiny in 1857. So to cater to the need of the foreign master in exchange of ruling the country became the political mantra of the Nepali rulers.

After the World War II, the British moved out of India granting independence. Nehru became one of the key architects of non-alignment movement together with Nasser and Sukarno with commitment to Panchasheel that meant genuine respect for each country’s sovereignty, independence and non-interference in its internal affairs. On the other hand, the Indian bureaucracy inherited the colonial foreign policy from its British masters, which reflected in what could be termed the ‘brown sahib’ attitudes while dealing with Nepal.

India finds it comfortable to accept Pakistan and Bangladesh, carved out of two hundred years of colonial India, as much independent as she is but not so of Nepal that actually has never remained under any foreign domination. The non-conversion of this duality is where the ailment lies covered by profuse diplomatic rhetoric. This is the crux. The only remedy to this ailment is for them to accept psychologically that Nepal is as independent and dignified a country as India is. And, India’s interest can best be served only when Nepal become economically strong and vibrant. The subjugating tacit techniques will only alienate the people giving rise to blind nationalistic sentiments which is harmful to both the countries. This is what I have written many times to underscore the importance of an attitudinal change.

So raising an issue out of nothing this issue in an effort to wanting a pound of flesh is an utterly unhealthy mode of transaction. Our prime minister has the right to visit any country in the world before paying a visit to India. So there is no need to talk about China or even Olympics. This country of ours is a collective embodiment of over twenty five million dignified Nepali people. At this point in time, Puspa Kamal Dahal is not just an individual. He reflects the strength of individual collectiveness. So he should be firm in his decision and not speak in a voice bordering onto apologetic overtones. Yes, his first visit was China after he became the prime minister. There is nothing wrong. Rather, it is perfect.

(The author is a freelance journalist based in Kathmandu and can be reached at: bklohani@hotmail.com)

(Editor’s Note: Nepalis, wherever they live, as well as friends of Nepal around the globe are requested to contribute their views/opinions/recollections etc. on issues concerning present day Nepal to the Guest Column of Nepalnews. Length of the article should not be more than 1,000 words and may be edited for the purpose of clarity and space. Relevant photos as well as photo of the author may also be sent along with the article. Please send your write-ups to editors@mos.com.np)

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