Wednesday, April 16, 2008

What can Nepal Maoist Win mean to India?

I have been hearing about Delhi's uneasiness about Nepal Maoist win. Delhi seem to have been overly attached with NC and UML in the past days and more than Maoist win, the two parties loss has been a greater headache. This always happens to any ally and has happened this time to all the NC and UML allies inside and outside Nepal.

There was mistake on the part of India (China and US too) for not understanding the increased influence of Maoist in Nepal. They have severely underestimated. But does this mean problem for India?

Certainly NOT. India is the biggest democracy and a republic state for long. Indian democracy has been very inclusive and had been successful. It is one of the best managed economy now and a serious contender for the future superpower. And the biggest challenge for India had always been the unstable neighbors. Let us talk about the neighbors now.

-- Pakistan has huge internal problems from the fundamentalism to terrorism.
-- Sri Lanka has been suffering LTTE crisis which took the island country from one of the Asian stars in 70s to one poor struggling state now.
-- Bangladesh has been getting unstable with passing time and the political stability is getting away.
-- Bhutan has done moderately successful ethnic cleaning exercise and have been able to bring economy in good note, but this can hardly be stable. The corruption and inequality has been in rise there. Of late the government has been more controlled by the ethnic Drukpas while the private sector is falling more to the remaining Gurkha population. The Gurkha are sure to ask for more inclusion in the Governance in days ahead.

This is over and above the Bhutanese Refugee problem. More than 100 thousand Nepali speaking Gurkhas are living as political refugees in Nepal and are now sent in third country settlement to US, New Zealand and other countries. This may be good for refugees but for Bhutan, this can only be immediate relief. Once the Bhutanese settle in these countries, they are sure to lobby for more democratic and inclusive Bhutan.

-- Burma has its problems. Junta has been ruling with Military prowess and it is not going to remain for long. The people are exploited and they are in revolution. So more serious problems is pending.

So now with so much happening around India, can India become a Superpower? The problematic neighbors can be easily taken to act in favor of India by puppetizing the government. But equally probable is other powers puppetizing Nepalese government and made to act against India. This can hurt India much more if this happens. India and Nepal has very close traditional relations from the cultural and religious similarity. And a anti-India Nepal can be a anti-Iraq Kuwait or anti-US Cuba or anti-Russia Gorgia.

And having a puppet government in Nepal can serve little cause for India. Nepal can hardly be used against any other powers like China. The Himalayas block the possibility. The benefit that Nepal can give to India can easily be achieved from Kashmir or Arunachal Pradesh. So no added advantage in having a puppet.
I have always respected India for respecting sovereigneity of its neighbors. It has given away Independence to Bangladesh after winning it from Pakistan. And History makes Indian intention very clear. But few people still doubt. Let me analyse the possibility of Indian occupation of Nepal and its aftermath.
India can never annex Nepal for various reasons:
1. Huge Gurkha (Nepali speaking) population in India will not like it and may turn against India.
2. There are chances Indian Gurkha turn against India as they have marital and cultural relations with Nepalese.
3. Nepal in India will make a huge Nepali speaking people in India. From Kashmir to Nagaland (including Darzeeling, Sikkim and Bhutan), there will be a virtual belt of Nepali people. This may create a increased Gorkhaland movement which may turn being a great disaster.
4. Any attempt to annex Nepal will not be tolerated by China. It may well bring two giants at War.
5. International Image that India has today will be lost.
6. Nepal in India will bring more problems like increased Agad, Tharu and Maithili speaking people. Thus will bring the Nepali Madesh issues here, which may turn to divide Bihar into Mithila, Agad and Bhojpur.
7. Nepal is pre-dominantly Communist and Nepal in India can never be good for Indian Congress or BJP, two major Indian parties.
8. Nepal has good army and they are sure to give a good resistance to block any such move.

So now, when there is no chance of takeover and no gain of puppetization. The stable and prosperous Nepal can only benefit India. Hopefully once Nepal gets stable and good economy, it will be able to end any terrorism acts going on through Nepal, which Delhi has been pointing for long.

Maoist on this plane has so many benefits to give to India.
1. They are going to be only power in Nepal. Thus India will not have to many powers and create confusion in its foreign policy. This will increase trust among the governments as well as the general public.
2. Maoist government has promised to work on economic agenda. This will be very beneficial to India than a Nepali Government working on Political agenda to save their vested interest.
3. India can look to work close with Nepal Maoist to end Maoist movement in India.
4. Nepal Maoist has been very strict in dealing with irregularities. They have adopted violent means too to control them. So in days ahead, Nepal is set to have low corruption and Terrorism activities. India can only consider itself lucky here.
5. Maoist have welcome Indian investment in Nepal in big way. This can be used by Indian companies to tap Nepali and Chinese Market. Power Sector has already been eagerly looked by Indian Business conglomerate with much interest. Now Infra-structure, Cement, Petroleum, Retail, Telecom etc can be other sectors waiting huge Indian investments.
6. Bihar, UP and Bengal has been developing slow and has been creating lots of problems to the Central Government initiative of quick economic development. A positive and economically active Nepal will better serve the Indian Government here.
7. A Economically and socially powerful Nepal will defend itself from external influences and the chances of Nepal being used against India ends.
8. Nepal Maoist or any other party will never go pro-China. It is simply not possible when most Nepalese have marital and cultural ties with Indian people. So at worst, they can be non Pro-India. This means a fair Nepal and non-corrupt politicians.
9. India will save millions of rupees and lot many higher education seats, which the corrupt government is believed to be taking from India in the name of remaining pro-India. This has hardly benefited India. One side it was direct loss of money and education seats, which could have been better used to feed poor Indians and giving them access to quality education.
Other side, this has created a sense of doubt in Nepali public. They see this as wrong Indian intentions, which in reality has nothing to do with intention. I see this more of a habit than intention. Indian Government has been providing help to Nepalese through Nepal Government and corrupt government has been eating all these. So India has been losing from all sides here. This may end now.

Short Summary:
There may be some unease at the start dealing with Maoist government but certainly Maoist Landslide Victory has all good for India.

Update on 19th April. Follow up reading:
1. Interview with Dr. Baburam Bhattarai
2. From Revolution to Crisis Management form Nepali Times
3. Views from The Hindu
4. Reuters on Maoist Win

Update on 20th April. Follow up reading.
Bibek Poudel on Nepal Maoists and the CA Election Aftermath

9 Comments:

Indu Sharma said...

Well bro,Its true India wants unstablity in its neighbours the reason comes from economic issue only.So far as the Maoist wining is concerned ,India is really afraid of and it's obvious.And I can't assure that Maoists will do good and aid on economic booming,for this we have to be passionate at least for 1-2 yrs on this matter .Anything can happen ,as they have just in the playground.So Lets first see how they play..anyway lets hope for better..:)

fun-do said...

Very informative analysis of the current political scenario in Indian subcontinent in the backdrop of Nepal's poll results favoring Maoists insurgence into the political mainstream.

I am not sure of what is in store for Nepal in future ; Me not being very optimistic about it but welcome positive changes if any for the sake of betterment of the respective countries.

Anonymous said...

Yours very well written post covering various aspects of the Indo-Nepal friendship and intra-Nepal politics, especially after the CA-elections.

But I have serious reservations on most of what you say. The war you talk of in today's post-cold-war era in your post is only a fanatical idea. Even more euphoric is the possibility of Nepal's win in any such event. Your article revolves heavily around this topic, thus reducing any credibility it might otherwise have.

Second, you have overestimated the effect of any Gurkha-uprising in India. Though India is a big and successful democracy, there's no denying the fact that the intellegentia, media, politics and bureaucracy in Delhi is unfairly dominated by Hindi-speaking North-Indian population. The under-representation of a huge Dravidian population and of entire of North-Eastern India isn't a hidden fact. I can't stress more on the racist and derogatary fame of a section of North-Indians, towards everyone strange to them, including the Nepalese. People like I K Gujral, known for liberal views and friendly policies towards neighbours could have well found way to the primeirship, but neither are they allowed to stay there for long, nor are their policies regarded as the guiding ones by the Indian establishment.

The problem with India when it comes to its policies regarding Nepal is that it has no political commitment. The neighbouring states of Bihar, UP and Bengal handle the affairs independent of what the central government says. Even high level decisions are largely dependent on the bureaucracy. There's no other way you can explain the troubles about border-encroachment and illegal damming of rivers. More troublesome is the fact that Indian establishment views Nepal only from the perspective of security. Indian media that has the notority of following its government's and RAW's stand, has done no good in improving the situation. Any event of friendship with China is highly exxagerrated and improper pressure is exerted regarding the unproven activities of unnamed terrorist activities in Nepal. Indian government doesn't have a clear-cut policy to deal with Nepal. It is more kind of an ad-hoc one, that is decided by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu and bureaucrats in Sough Block. Despite huge imbalances in Indo-Nepal trade, India doesn't find it necessary to justify when it bans certain imports from Nepal. Interestingly, those are the products reaping most benefits to Nepal.

Politically, whoever comes to power in Nepal is bound to be in loggerheads with India. First it was the Kingship. India was quick to declare a trade embargo to support the democracy movement of 1990. Then it were the much-trusted parties of India that were in government. India was happy sheltering and bargaining the Maoists, then declated terrorists both by India and Nepal. India's role in supporting the uprising last year was deemed as a shift in policy. But when its bargaining power reduced, India was happy playing the Madhesh card- don't forget, the initial talks between the Nepalese authorities and madheshi parties were held inside the premises of the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu. After failing miserably in its calculations, Delhi is obviously finding it hard to have to work with Maoists and not with UML or NC who were its favourites for the elections.

We are yet to see how things turn up but I don't see any clear change in the Indian eye until Nepalese leadership becomes strong enough not to turn to Delhi every time a butterfly flaps its wings in the Nepalese power-corridors. Otherwise the divide and conquer will continue. There is no need for India, a rising world power to politically annex any neighbour the way it did with Sikkim. In modern world, wars are won inside meeting rooms. India has no empathy to the problems of its neighbours, be it economic or developments. It has been happy just to secure its security interests. The way it is doing in Bhutan, but is unable to do in Bangladesh and Pakistan. Nepal, a humble cousin to India sometimes unsuccessfully tries to be a rebel, but that hasn't changed things so far.

Your post miserably misses the point.

Anonymous said...

Well friend your speculation about Indian
interest is just like being sure in a coin toss.Your contemplations has only one side.Let me inform you something more.Whatever Indian region you are talking about like Nagaland , Darjeeling etc are a vulnerable to any kind of revolutionary movement.The revolutionary movements going in Nagaland , Assam , Manipur may be greatly influenced by the landslide victory of maoist.Whatever developement India has done does it reflect any communities from these areas? Are there any Indian Commander In Chief from these regions? People here ar e as much Indians by Indian constitution as those who call these people "chinkies ".You are in India so you know better than me.Ask yourself why Maoist won in Nepal.Well don't give stress to your brain,let me answer this time.Previous government in Nepal either be democratic
parties or King himself does not represent what actually Nepali is.There are many ethnic groups in Nepal than brahmin and chetri.Moreover you can say those who know only Nepali even though there are lot many languages in Nepal were rulers in Nepal.This was for 239 years.This was the issue Prithivi Narayan Shah did not think about.There was only physical unification but no ideological unification for 239 years of Shah Dynasty.Like Prithivi Narayan Shah those who built unified Indian did the same mistake.Nepal is going to be a truly unified Republic of Nepal stronger than ever.I don't give any hypothetical steps that Maoist in Nepal would take to help those suppressed ares of India , but they will surely light a larger flame in their hearts.

Anyways lets see what happens...

Reshma Sapkota
http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/

Anonymous said...

It is not like as you say, it is just a hypothesis to think some nation is going to puppetize a nation.A dog is loyal to who feeds him with the bone, similarly a party is loyal to who supports it financially or otherwise and from the resultsof CA-election as well as the comment from the observer the only thing that supported maoist was the voters .So, they will remain loyal to the population not any third party. Thus the movement against India from Nepal and the resultant annihilation of nepal in India seems what is well known as ' Birbal ki Khichdi' .
As you said Bhutan has regained moderate economic stablility ,its true but Bhutan has got it for a price of sovereignty.
And if there is some Indian occupation of Nepal ,It will share same fate of Sikkim as in 1975.And the resultant uprise of gurkha as you hoped will be just like liberation of Khalistan. Frankly telling, a nepali speaking inhabitant of India whether a software engineer in Bangalore or a rebel leader in Darjiling or an MP in parliament of India has no influnce on the flow of mainstream india .
Especially for :
6. Nepal in India will bring more problems like increased Agad, Tharu and Maithili speaking people. Thus will bring the Nepali Madesh issues here, which may turn to divide Bihar into Mithila, Agad and Bhojpur.
If Bihar can divide in Bihar and Jharkhand ,then it is not and issue to divide it again for satisfaction of a large community .On the contrary as stated above nepalese population in india never had and will never have any major influnce in India .More than 20 years of revolution has just given a myth named Gorkhaland.Please think beofore you write.

8. Nepal has good army and they are sure to give a good resistance to block any such move.
Nepal has not any AA-defence.So, it is quite vulnerable to air attack and similar v2 attack and most important is that India unfairly dictates nepal's defece policy and who nepal should and should not buy weapon from.Even an illeterate man can also make inference why Nepalese army uses INSAS not AK-52,M-16 or some other SMG's.

Moving ahead
1. They are going to be only power in Nepal. Thus India will not have to many powers and create confusion in its foreign policy. This will increase trust among the governments as well as the general public.
These seems supportable
2. Maoist government has promised to work on economic agenda. This will be very beneficial to India than a Nepali Government working on Political agenda to save their vested interest.
The issue that Maoists will issue first will be the political agenda itself.There are many political agenda where Nepalese voters are not satisfied with like Mahakali issue,MahliSagar issue etc.
3. India can look to work close with Nepal Maoist to end Maoist movement in India.
This seems a choice only if India also wants a succesful maoist revolution in its land
5. This can be used by Indian companies to tap Nepali and Chinese Market.
Chinese are not a mob of fools they don't control the world market because there is nobody to challenge them..
7. A Economically and socially powerful Nepal will defend itself from external influences and the chances of Nepal being used against India ends.
And also by the Indian ends.
9. India will save millions of rupees and lot many higher education seats, which the corrupt government is believed to be taking from India in the name of remaining pro-India. This has hardly benefited India. One side it was direct loss of money and education seats, which could have been better used to feed poor Indians and giving them access to quality education.
India is never going to leave the investment in the education seats because this is the bow which is providing India with birds in both hands.Commenting about a kangaroo in India is easy but its good when you can comment it in Australia it self because in India there are many who never gonna see kangaroo and never mind what the heck it is? The first point is India finances for cultural exchange and as a result some of the choosen guys (it was 60 of the best when I came) come to India for study .What do you think they go back to Nepal.This just creates a beautiful case of brain-drain why else you end up in chennai and then Bangalore and I end up at Pune. Next point India is also financing student of good repo in Nepal .They are going to be future intellectuals in Nepal and as dog bone fed dog will be supporting India inside Nepal.
Other side, this has created a sense of doubt in Nepali public. They see this as wrong Indian intentions, which in reality has nothing to do with intention. I see this more of a habit than intention. Indian Government has been providing help to Nepalese through Nepal Government and corrupt government has been eating all these. So India has been losing from all sides here. This may end now.
Does that mean India has a habbit of poking nose but not its intention and what will india lose ?

Bhupendra said...

Thanks Indu, Satish, Bibek, Reshma and Saurabh.

Bibek:
Your concerns are genuine. Let me put my perspective around those things.
1. Gurkha Uprising
There are few supporting points to what I said earlier. The collapse of Congo government happened in early 2k with 8% military revolt. The impact was really huge.
Secondly the Gurkha belt extends from Kashmir to Nagaland, which are in themselves problematic areas. So if these two join, I seriously feel the impact will be huge.

2. I. K. Gujural
He is from Janata Dal and it is primarily because of his party that he is sidelined. I feel sorry for him and I see him as a good and visionary leader, but he seems to be weak leader and not so powerful party.
I seriously dont feel anyone has sidelined him in India for favoring neighbor friendly policies.

3. Regarding Hindi Speaking North Indian Domination
India is a vibrant democracy and the majority rules. It is not the thus not the attitude but the number of people that is ruling.
Regarding Dravidian forces, they are strong in their areas but they could not form an working alliance to give a fight for Hindi Speaking North Indian domination in India.

Tamils tried once but they could not work out any substantial framework for working alliance. The problem being similar to what Germany and France are facing in EU. Smaller neighbors fear immediate big.

Regarding the North Eastern states, there were many problems for being sidelined.
a. They raised separatist movement many times in history and no country can tolerate such movements.
b. Their population is small and they can never have good political influence in Central Governance. It is a reality.
c. North East is not well connected. It borders Bangladesh, Burma, Bhutan and Nepal, apart from the Himalayan border with China. All these borders have great security issues.
d. Influx of people from the neighboring countries specially Bangladesh has been there for long. This is adding to increased political tension.

4. Re. Trade relations, its all about putting your bargain up. If someone does not have confidence, he loses and there its only him to blame. Trade is never fair. Its just give and take. Who can give less and take more is victorious. The victory is not for fairness but for smartness.
Nepal has to wake up, learn from mistakes, collect the strengths and fight for the cause. No alternative to it. No blame game here.
India is a great country and at least at the economic front, India has very progressive policies. Its only about selling yourself and getting the right bargain.

-- Bhupendra

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I have taken the discussion forward to here:

http://blog.bibekpaudel.com.np/2008/04/21/

Cheers !

Bhupendra said...

Thanks Reshma. Please see earlier comment for my views on NE issues.

Thanks

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