Outlook English - Print Subscribers Copy Outlook English, 16 April 2018 | Page 22
MELT-DOWN
by Pranay Sharma
TRIBHUVAN TIWARI
C
AREFUL negotiations that
brought about the post-Doklam
detente between India and
China hinges to a large extent
on mutual sensitivity to each
other’s concerns while pursuing
their interests in the subcontinent.
The movement of a small but crucial
piece can change the complexion of
the diplomatic chessboard, though.
The extent to which this understand-
ing works, therefore, may face its first
test during the three-day official visit
of Nepalese Prime Minister K.P. Sha
rma Oli to New Delhi from April 6.
“The current status of India-China
ties has always been a big parameter in
judging the political mood in Nepal,”
acknowledges India’s former ambassa-
dor in Kathmandu, Ranjit Rae.
The monarchy onwards, all Nepali
political leaders have tried to play the
‘China card’ in driving hard bargains
with India. How the visiting Nepalese
PM strikes a balance between the two
Asian giants in a changed diplomatic
scenario has gained great importance.
Significantly, until recently, K.P. Oli
was perceived by the Indian establish-
ment as a man close to China. Though
a one-time friend of India, it was Oli’s
first stint as PM in 2015 that saw New
Delhi-Kathmandu ties nosedive. The
failure of the Nepalese leadership to
find space for the Madhesis’ aspirations
in their new constitution had angered
Nepal’s terai region and their main
backer—India.
The resultant agitation, followed by
an economic blockade by India that cut
off essential supplies, had subjected the
Nepalese people to endless misery. To
tide over the crisis, K.P. Oli had turned
to Beijing. Subsequently, both from
gratitude towards its eastern neighbour
and also from a desire to thumb his nose
at India, he ended up signing the impor-
tant Transit Agreement with China.
However, he was soon removed from
power and replaced by Maoist leader
Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ as
premier. Many felt Indian machination
was behind his ouster.
But K.P. Oli had earned the support
of the Nepalese people. Seen as a tough
leader who stood up to Indian ‘bully-
ing’, he promptly bounced back. As his
outfit, the Communist Party of Nepal
22 OUTLOOK 16 April 2018
REACHING OUT Narendra Modi with K.P. Sharma Oli in Delhi in March 2016
The Old Sport
Of Goodwill
Hunting
The darkest shadow has passed. Nepal’s PM is in Delhi
to take Modi’s hand and dispel the Chinese bogey.