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VOL. 28, NO. 13, Dec 05, 2008 (Mangsir 20 2065 B.S.)
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Insecurity Concerns
Nepal’s big neighbours have common interests but different objectives in their small backyards
By SUSHIL SHARMA
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Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Nepalese Foreign Minister (left) at TIA: Security concern |
“India meets China in Nepal”, wrote veteran Indian journalist Girilal Jain several years ago.
The global cold war was at its peak when the Jain masterpiece hit the bookstall.
Much water has flowed down the Bagmati, Hwang ho and Ganges since then.
From warring parties over the Himalayan borders in the early sixties, they are today partners in an unprecedented economic boom.
But, as the two one-billion plus nations march towards becoming global powers, the mutual rivalry has a potential to assume a much larger dimension. And the implications, specially for the neighbours like Nepal, much graver than before.
No wonder, analysts are tempted to see a link between the subsequent high-profile visits from the two giants.
Security concerns topped the agenda of the Indian external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee when he came avisiting last week for what the officials said was a “goodwill” visit.
“The porous Nepal border” has always been high on the agenda of Delhi. Especially for its security vis-à-vis terrorist activities.
His Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi’s priority was no different during his “routine” sojourn in Kathmandu this week.
“The porous Nepal border” has, coincidentally, been a concern for China as well. Also for security vis-à-vis Tibet.
If India sees Pakistan-based anti-Indian militants trying to take advantage of the “porous border” to create troubles from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, China suspects the same border being used by the India-based Tibetan militants to “undermine the Chinese nation”.
Both have a security stake in Nepal. It has increased as instability and chaos threaten to mar Nepal’s political transition and peace process.
Clearly, the recent visits by the foreign ministers of the two countries underscore their security concerns.
Both have a common interest in a peaceful and stable Nepal – but on their own terms which are definitely not common.
Common interests but contradictory objectives of the two powers do normally turn their small neighbour into a big trouble-spot.
That explains why political instability continues to plague Nepal even today. From the time Girilal Jain wrote the famous book to this day of a republican regime in Kathmandu.
