India’s Concern In Nepal

India’s well known strategic writer general Ashok Mehta, who had written numbers of articles defending Nepal’s Pushpa Kamal Dahal as a revolutionary to defeat monarchy, seems to have other views about him now. Thanks to support Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal secured from analyst like Mehata Monarchy has gone and Maoist are established as a strong political force in Nepal.

Although Prachanda remains same as his activities, general Mehata tone has changed. He resembled Prachanda as a pro-Chinese. Sandwiched between India and China, Nepal’s political leaders always faced similar criticism from Indian scholars like Mehata and Prachanda is not exception. It is Nepal’s geo-strategic reality which shapes the behavior of Nepal’s political leaders.

“India should fear that the Hambantota port constructed by a Chinese consortium could become the southern anchor of its ‘String of Pearls’ around India. The refurbishment of Colombo harbour has also been bagged by China. Sri Lanka has drawn capital from India’s strategic silence over its pivotal military assistance in defeating the Tigers. This has helped Colombo to “look beyond Delhi” and openly acknowledge China’s key role in winning the war. Like Mr Pushpa Kamal Dahal in Nepal, Mr Rajapaksa has a grand vision of reducing dependence on India,courtesy China. Clearly New Delhi has lost the strategic plot in Sri Lanka. The outright defeat of the LTTE has diminished its influence in Colombo,” writes Mehata. “It should have been payback time for Sri Lanka. Instead Colombo has subtly introduced the China card, complimenting the traditional Pakistan linkage to balance India. With China burrowing deep into Nepal in the north, it is repeating the exercise in the south. India’s optimistic claims of “decisive influence without direct involvement in Sri Lanka” are no longer valid. Mrs Indira Gandhi’s ‘Monroe Doctrine’ has been superceded by ‘Mahinda Chinthan’.

Visit to read Mehata's article: http://www.dailypioneer.com/286308/India-loses-the-plot.html

China Extends Rail Close to Nepal

As China began work on extension of its railway service up to Xigaze, the second largest city of Tibet, it worries Indian strategists as it will enhance the defense capability of China against its rival India.

After the completion of railway up to Xigaze, Nepal's distance to mainland China will also be shorten.Despite Nepal's long and close relations with India, Nepal is yet to have direct railway link from Nepal.

According to Chinese News agencies, China began work on last Sunday to build an extension to the world’s highest rail link, the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, linking Xigaze, the second largest city in the southwestern Tibet Autonomous Region.

◦The 253-km line from Tibet’s capital Lhasa to Xigaze will pass through five counties as well as over the 90-km long Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon.

◦The work will take about four years.

◦This is the first extension of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway that opened in July 2006.

◦The Lhasa-Xigaze railway, with a budget of 13.3 billion yuan (1.95 billion U.S. dollars), is capable of transporting 8.3 million tonnes of cargo per year. The local authorities did not provide a projected annual passenger number.

◦Zhang Qingli, Communist Party chief of Tibet, said the rail line would make train services available in southwestern Tibetan regions which currently rely solely on roads for transport.

◦The railway will detour around nature reserves and drinking water sources and more measures will be taken during construction to better protect the fragile plateau environment, Zhang said.

◦Minister of Railways Liu Zhijun said the extension is a key project in China’s long and medium-term railway network expansion and will speed up Tibet’s social and economic development.

◦It will also play a vital role in boosting tourism and promoting the rational use of resources along the line, he said.

◦Further, Tibet is planning to build another railway to link Lhasa with Nyingchi to boost tourism and the economy in Tibet.

◦During its four-year operation, the Qinghai-Tibet Railway has reduced transportation costs and greatly boosted economic growth in Tibet, especially through developing tourism and other local special resources, Liu said.

◦Xigaze, with a history of more than 600 years, is Tibet’s second largest city and the traditional seat of the Panchen Lamas.

◦Xigaze City is the administrative center of the Tibetan prefecture of the same name, a 182,000 square km area that borders India, Nepal and Bhutan. It is also famous for Qomolangma (known as Mount Everest in the West), which rises up from within it.

Singh and Yadav Win

Singh and Yadav Win

If the recent election result is any indication, Nepali Congress seems to be heading towards the previous patterns with Koirala and Singh.

Along with Sushil Koirala, son of Nepali Congress Supreme leader late Ganesh Man Singh, Prakash Man Singh elected as a general secretary of Nepali Congress defeating his nearest rival and son of former Nepali Congress leader late Mahendra Naryan Nidhi’s son Bimlendra Nidhi.

However, former prime minister Deuba’s candidate Chitra Lekha Yadav emerged as a victrious defeating his nearest rival and Koirala’s candidate Padma Narayan Chaudhari.

The counting of central committee members will begin tommrow and the pattern of elections showed that it will be mixed.

Nepali Congress At Cross Road Koirala Elected President

Following the elections of Nepali Congress, the party now turned into a party of political leader rather than a party based on ideology. Though NC still hangs the picture of B.P. Koirala and Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, their ideology does not count much in the party.

Only living founder member of the party Bhattarai rejected to participate in the convention saying that the party turned into a club of bunch of opportunists giving away the policy propounded by B.P. Koirala and Ganesh Man Singh.

After 1990, Nepali Congress completely gave up ideology of B.P. Koirala who said Nepali Congress will lose its identity as soon as it gives of its stand on nationalism and democracy. The major setback in the last general elections has already indicated what will be fate of Nepali Congress if it fails to make balance between nationalism and democracy. By siding with radical communists, NC gives up basic ideals of democracy.

Although no one expected much from Deuba, Sushil Koirala too has to live with those power brokers like Krishna Prasad Sitaula, Shekhar Koirala and bunch of others who pushed Nepali Congress into the present shape.

Although Sushil Koirala won the elections for the president of the party, the challenges before him are how to lead the party in balance. The first major political test will be his nomination to general secretary. Since deputy prime minister Sujata Koirala, daughter of late Girija Prasad Koirala, has withdrawn her candidacy at last minute with an assurance to nominate her as a secretary general, there are dozens aspirant for the post. Similarly, accommodating Deuba is another challenge. Deuba secured formidable votes in the party.

Nepali Congress got a new elected president. Unlike in the past, the alliance is very different this time. President Sushil Koirala’s supporter with his arch rival Sher Bahadur Deuba and Deuba’s supporter with Koirala. The shifting alliance in Nepali Congress makes the party different.

Sushil Koirala won the elections for president of Nepali Congress defeating his nearest rival former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. Koirala secured 1652 votes against his nearest rival 3064. Third candidate Bhim Bahadur Tamang secured 80 votes.

At a time when Nepali Congress is losing its own ideological identity, its limitation is now to survive under political leadership. Will Koirala lead?

India itself created its Worries in Nepal

India has made many mistakes in the last one decade destroying its all friendly forces of Nepal. Although it seems to be pro-Chinese, monarchy was pro-Indian institution in nature. Similarly, India encourages Nepali Congress, which is also pro-Indian party in terms its ideological orientation, to make joint front with communist.

Monarchy, India’s best security safeguard in Nepal is a part of history and Nepali Congress is virtually in a position of wipe out in front of radical communist and regional based party, Nepal is now under the grip of virtually India’s hostile forces.

Till 1990, Nepali Congress was alternative to monarchy and the communist were virtually nowhere to claim their position. Thanks to 1990 change, communist established themselves as a formidable force. After 12 points agreement in New Delhi, India brought another extreme communist party in the political main stream at the cost of its own traditional loyal forces.

Claimed as a friend of India by himself and charged by his enemy as pro-Indian, former minister late Rabindranath Sharma often said that the time will come when India will have no friend in India. Sharma in his interviews and public actions said China will retaliate India after the completion of Olympic game. Sharma died two years ago what he said comes true in Nepalese context.

Never in the history of last sixty years, has India had weaker situation in Nepal than ever before. As monarchy is gone and Nepali Congress too is surviving for its survival and radical communist and other extremists are rising, it is not easier for Nepal’s southern neighbor.

For more follow the link of Indian articles regarding India’s worries in Nepal: http://southcapitolstreet.com/2010/09/19/nepal-china-intercepted-audio-tape-controversy/

Nepal’s Chaos India and China’s Concern

As Nepal’s two neighbors India and China have their own concerned in Nepal, both the powers are looking politics in Nepal very carefully. Chinese prefers stable governments all the time and they don’t care whoever may lead it. However, India wants its own government. This is the reason India involve in the politics of regime change in Nepal since 1950’s revolution.

“Interest of India and China is permanent in Nepal. So far as alleys are concerned, they are temporary,” said former foreign minister Rameshnath Pandey. “We must not forget that they don’t back any rulers at the cost of their interest.”

It is natural in Nepal to have more Indian influence than Chinese because Nepal shares everything with India. Being a south faced country, Nepal cannot deny the genuine concern of India and no ruler can do its security interest. However, Nepal cannot afford to deny China also.

This is why all rulers in Nepal has to face difficulty when they are in power. India backed Nepali Congress and King to overthrow Rana regime in 1950 and supported King Manehdra’s move to overthrow democratically elected government led by B.P. Koirala. After the change of 1990, democratic India supported UCPN-Maoist and seven party alliance to overthrow monarchy, India’s traditional alley.

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal stressed the need to have national unity among Nepal’s major political forces to cope the present situation. Addressing Nepali Congress General Convention Chinese ambassador, addressing the Convention as a Chinese delegation, said China wants to see Nepal’s ongoing peace process to conclude in logical end.

India’s renowned strategical analyst Brahma Chellaney writes,

India-China: Let facts speak for themselves

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/6569541.cms

UNMIN For four Months?

Following heated debates between the care taker government led by Madhav Kumar Nepal and UCPN-Maoist, United Nations Security Council extended the tenure of UNMIN for another four months. No body knows how the process which was not completed in two years will complete just within a four months. However, the government recommended for four months only. Knowledgeable diplomatic sources said that it is not easy to ask UNMIN to leave within four months. Many expects that UNMIN will remain for at least another year.

Interestingly, just a day after extension tenure of UNMIN, UCPN-Maoist said that it is ready to settle the issue of combatant. To know about UNMIN follow:

http://www.spotlightnepal.com/National.aspx?ArticleID=207&IssueID=7

China opposes Foreign Intervention in Nepal

Visiting high level Chinese delegation He Yong, vice-premier and secretary at the secretariat of the 17th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China said that any forms of foreign intervention in Nepal is unacceptable to China.

After meeting with prime minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, Chinese leader Yong said China does not have any intention to interfere internal affairs of Nepal and they want other too follow it. At a time when Nepal’s major political parties particularly UCPN-Maoist leaders continue to blame India for meddling internal affairs of Nepal, Yong statement is significant.

Although Chinese has always maintained such stand and publicly reaffirmed its commitments towards it, the stress given by Chinese leader meeting all the leaders of major political parties on foreign intervention is meaningful.

“We will provide all kinds of support to take Nepal’s ongoing peace process in logical end,” Chinese leader Yong told to prime minister Nepal. According to the press secretary of prime minister Nepal Bishnu Rijal, Chinese leader Yong said “China want peace, stability and prosperity in Nepal.”

The delegation also met president Dr. Ram Varan Yadav expressed that his forthcoming visit will help to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries. As Chinese delegation is visiting Nepal meeting with leaders of country’s major political parties, Indian media is busy to cover recent controversial issue on bribing.Kathmandu based Indian journalist Sudesana Sarkar in her dispatch to India Abroad News Service writes India accused of spoiling Maoist chances in Nepal.In her dispatch” Sarkar writes,” Fresh India bashing has started in Nepal with a Communist leader accusing New Delhi of having spent millions of rupees to prevent the Maoists from coming to power again.Veteran communist leader Narayan Man Bijukchhe, whose Nepal Workers and Peasants Party has five MPs in the 601-member parliament and a stronghold in the Newar community-dominant Bhaktapur city, is now alleging that India's external intelligence agency RAW (Research and Analysis Wing) has threatened an ethnic party from the Terai plains with dire consequences if it supports Maoist chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda during the prime ministerial poll. Visit: http://sify.com/news/india-accused-of-spoiling-maoist-chances-in-nepal-news-international-kjmo4dfjfca.html

New Spotlight: Chaotic Nepal

New Spotlight: Chaotic Nepal: "As Nepal's political situation is worsening, there is growing concern from both the neighbors. Read journalist Yubaraj Ghimire's views on In..."

Chaotic Nepal

As Nepal's political situation is worsening, there is growing concern from both the neighbors. Read journalist Yubaraj Ghimire's views on India and China's relations on Nepal: http://epaper.indianexpress.com/IE/IEH/2010/09/11/ArticleHtmls/11_09_2010_014_033.shtml?Mode=1

Nepal's Hard Reality

Whatever the efforts one has to make to undo Nepal’s Nepal’s heard geostrategic reality by introducing new political process in last four years following People’s movement II, what has not changed is Nepal’s geostrategic reality. Many people’s think this is old rhetoric Nearly two and half century has already passed but what Nepal’s unifier Prithivi Naryan Shaha the great, who termed Nepal as a yam between two rocks, is correct observation. Even after transformation from unitary monarchical state to federal republic following India mediated 12 points New Delhi agreement between Maoist and seven political parties, Nepal has not changed a lot. Maoists were encouraged to dismantle all traditional institutions and process and they saw statues of this great king as a threat.

Pointing to Nepal’s difficult position between two big neighbors India and China, Leo Rose in his book Nepal Strategy for Survival writes,” There is a basic similarity between King Prithivi Narayan Shah analysis of Nepal’s role in the Himalayan area and his selection of tactice and that of ninth ruler in his dynasty, King Mahendra Bir Bikran Shah Dev.”

Nepal’s two communist leaders Madhav Kumar Nepal and Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, both of whom are communists inspired from leftist of India, too are facing similar challenges at the publication of second edition after 39 years.

In the second edition of Leo Rose Book, which is recently published by Mandla Book Point, renowned historian John Whelpton in his preface writes,” At the end of this book, Rose reported a 1962 conversation with one of Mahendra’s ministers who believed that Nepal’s would eventually be absorbed by either India or China and that nothing Nepalese governments themselves did would make any real difference to the outcome. Rose rightly considered this over-pessimistic. Short of the complete collapse of the Nepalese state, the country’s balancing act is likely to continue indefinitely, albeit with recurring wobbles. However, India and, to a much lesser extent China, will continue to influence internal politics and skillfully handling of relations with both neighbors will remain the key requirement for any Nepalese government that wishes either simply to survive itself or to tackle the many internal problems that Nepal now faces.

Well known Indian analyst C. Raja Mohan in his column in Indian Express writes,” It does not matter if the recent reports from Nepal that China is helping the Maoists buy political support and win the prime minister’s post are true. As Nepal’s large neighbour to the north, China has always had considerable influence in Kathmandu. As its power rises, China’s ability to influence the evolution of its immediate periphery in the subcontinent is growing rapidly.

Read Raja Mohan’s article: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/A-yam-between-two-rocks/679712

Dream Disintegrates

Although prime minister Madhav Kumar Nepal dream to construct a republic tower when he was appointed as a prime minister, it seems to have faded now following the objections from local residents in Kathmandu. Read:http://www.spotlightnepal.com/Forum.aspx?ArticleID=219&IssueID=7

New Spotlight: New Spotlightnepal

New Spotlight: New Spotlightnepal: "New Spotlightnepal"

New Spotlightnepal

New Spotlightnepal

India should keep close watch: BJP on Nepal wiretap

Taking a serious note of reports about Nepal's Maoist leaders seeking money from China, the BJP today said that the government should keep a "close vigil" of the situation as such "interference" into the internal affairs of Nepal could be a "big threat" to the security of India.

"We have received news from there (Nepal) that Maoist leader Prachanda's friends have asked for Rs50 crore from China to purchase the parliamentarians of the country," BJP spokesperson Tarun Vijay said at a press conference in New Delhi.

If the report is correct, BJP condemns it, he said.

"We demand that the government of India should keep a close vigil on the situation and in any condition, should not allow the interference of China into internal affairs of Nepal," he said.

Vijay underlined that Nepal is passing through a very "critical phase" and said that in such circumstances, China's interference into the internal affairs of Nepal will not only be a threat to the future of the neighbouring country but also the security of India.

He said that whatever happens in Nepal should be according to the "democratic" wishes of the people of that country.

Any interference by any country or individual should not be acceptable in Nepal, he said.

Talking about the Chinese response on the Gilgit issue missing from its official transcript, he said, "All these things create a serious threat situation for India. It is extremely worrisome for us," he said.

If in Nepal, China attempts to install the government it favours by apparently interfering into its internal matter, it will not only be a threat to the future of Nepal but may also become a big threat to India "which we can not accept", he said.

A wiretap conversation leaked to Nepalese media has alleged that the party had sought Rs50 crore from China to "buy" lawmakers to get their supremo elected to the post of premier after five rounds of voting failed to produce a winner.

Visit the website:

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_india-should-keep-close-watch-bjp-on-nepal-wiretap_1433934

What is mess in Nepali Politics?

Although Nepal has already held fifth round of elections, it is yet to find a new prime minister to lead the nation. What is mess in Nepali politics: follow http://www.spotlightnepal.com/Politics.aspx?ArticleID=167

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