Extraordinary And Plenipotentiary Diplomatist July 19 Edition . | Página 35

SPOTLIGHT
turned around that led to the imposition of a blockade by
India when Oli was the HOG. The imposition impacted the
daily lives of the general people severely. Anti India oratory
took at large in Nepal especially by the then United Marxist
Leninist (UML) and NCP Maoists who unifi ed to participate
in the federal and provincial election attaining majority and
representing two thirds with the support from the Madhesh
Based Parties to govern for a full term after 20 years.
An alternative strategic network was expedited after the
unoffi cial blockade by India when China’s intention to move
into South Asia and gain a foothold while India’s lack of
trust in Nepal’s policies and the political leaders and their
footprints, as well as the course of action in Nepal surely,
has a geopolitical and geo-economic signifi cance. The Oli
government looked to the northern neighbour for assistance
to lessen dependency with India and take economic benefi t.
Various MOUs including the agreement on Transit Transport
and allowing access to the seaports for third country trade
used from various six customs points (Tatopani, Kerung,
Kimathanka, Korola, Yari and Olangchunggola and three
trade routes Olangchunggola, Kimathanka and Korala and
join the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Nepal - China Trans
Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network,
including the Nepal - China, cross border railway, the gateway
to South Asia was reaffi rmed during the President of Nepal’s
visit to China this April in the Second Belt and Road Forum
for International Cooperation. Military cooperation with
military training, disaster management, medical assistance,
equipments for peacemaking operations, establishment of
National Defence University are becoming visible. China
has been the largest source of Foreign Direct Investment in
Nepal. The agreements focus mainly on seven categories,
namely strategic communication connectivity with railways
and waterways, energy with hydro projects, power trade,
infrastructure development, agriculture, political and
diplomatic gestures and security concerns.
Finding a place within China and India will be Nepal’s
real strategic challenge and vulnerability in the years or even
decades to come, while the diplomatic moves and presumed
gains are just a sideshow and a temporary issue along the way.
There are four geopolitical and two political trends
for Nepal, one, India and China’s rapid growth in both
economy and political infl uence in South Asia, two, strategic
communication network North to South as part of the BRI
project will put up with strategic regional linkages, which
will uphold security, diplomatic, economic and political
consequences, three, variety of transportation system from
air, land, rail to waterways and lastly, new approach for
economic development through mega projects and increase
in energy plants and Foreign Direct Investments. The
internal vibrant is, one, Nepal’s political diversifi cation
with nationalism is hand and extra-regional and regional
infl uences on national politics and traditional beliefs and
two, major transformation to – Federalism, Nationalism,
Republicanism and Secularism.
The national security environment is laden with so many
complex strategic and tactical issues related to federalism,
decentralization, diplomacy, economy, identity, migration,
drop in remittance, polarization along political, social, cultural
and ethnic lines, politicalization of all institutions, poor
governance, impeachment attempts, land disputes, terrorism,
energy shortage and dependable trade and transit.
Conclusion
When the new Modi government will be focusing
on the immediate neighbourhood as part of the strategic
policy; Nepal and India need to work together for regional
stability and bilateral economic enhancement, anti-terrorism
regional approach, energy security, supply security, disaster
management and multilateral strategic connections.
Ten dealings appear to be expressed that will bear
geopolitical, geo-economic consequences by: one, protecting
the cultural values and religious harmony that both countries
enjoy; two, successfully completing the road map for past
agreements within a stipulated time; three, detaching the
trust shortfall by fulfilling the assurances given by the
political leaders and bringing about diplomatic reliability;
four, reviewing the 1950 treaty of security and friendship that
have been submitted by the EPG that was established in 2016;
fi ve, energizing 16 bilateral committees for securing cordial
environment in several fi elds including border disputes; six,
dedicated line of supply; seven, eff ective connectivity by
bringing in railways and waterways to Nepali territory; eight,
communicating major concerns about comprehensive and
strategic issues by Kathmandu-Delhi political engagements
and fi nally a requirement of a core geopolitical mechanism to
build sober and reliable intelligence based assessments and
forecasts on other key trends of threats to help South Asian
nations make informed decisions, identify opportunities and
anticipate risks through regional networking including acts
of terrorism with bilateral, trilateral and multi-lateral regional
associations like the SAARC and BIMSTEC. The need to
revitalize the recognition of Indo-Nepal strategic relationship
is the need to move into the 21st century, the century for the
people of the two countries and the region.
Both the government of Nepal and India must visualize
how Nepal will shape and impact India politically,
diplomatically, culturally and economically in the next fi ve
to ten years so that correct policies and put in order. 
* Author is a retired Nepali Army Major General and is
a political and security analyst
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 7 • Issue 7 • July 2019, Noida • 35