On the set of Rajya Sabha TV, three Indian commentators put out their view on the recent visit of Pakistani PM Abbassi to Nepal. Including the host, all of them came to an agreement that the meeting must be weighed with caution. While SD Muni might have softened his tone after the three-tier elections, the other two commentators carried the tone of Indian exceptionalism. None, however, dared to speak about the Indian blockade on Nepal nor argued why the Republic should stop interfering (micromanaging) in the Federal Republic’s political system.

Let me put forward the statements undertaken by the commentators. First, the Indian state still lives in the illusion that anti-India feeling in Nepal is a myth. While the current PM Oli might be blamed for riding on the nationalism wave, it is with no doubt that most Nepalis do not like the state of India after the blockade in 2015. There are, however, reservations among few Nepalis who are exceptionally pro-India.

Second, India is wary of China and Pakistan engaging with Nepal. India expects Nepal to become the next Bhutan, Sikkim or Fiji. Just like Bhutan kicked out its hundred thousand Nepali speaking citizens and India let them enter Nepal, India has tactfully sent Indians to settle in Nepal and sabotage the Madesh movement. Moreover, the argument of the commentator that India backed Madhesis for their rights is a double-standard act.True Madhesis, from Madesh, even do not support India’s treatment against them. Since they live next to India, they suffer from Border Security Force (BSF)’s firing, land encroachment by India and other inter-border crimes. India has supported Maoist, anti-monarchy elements in the past. India doesn’t support any party in Nepal. It only wants to make sure that its agenda is pushed forward. The Eminent Persons Group (EPG) meeting is coming to an end. It is high time that the border between Nepal and India be regulated or closed for good.

Third, the commentators argued that SAARC is dead. India wants to isolate Pakistan. It’s crystal-clear. But it doesn’t mean Nepal should side with India only. It is a sovereign nation and has every right to engage with other nations without compromising India’s security.

Most Nepalis are poor and that’s why they voted for Oli. One commentator argued. It’s no doubt that Nepalis are poor compared to many Indians. But the question here is: are most Indians so rich that they voted for BJP and right-wing Hindutva wing that’s no different than Oli’s nationalist politics? He continued to argue that there are a lot of pensioners who depend on Indian Army. That’s true. Moreover, many Nepalis depend on their families who are in the British Army, Malaysian Police, and other forces. This is where Nepal needs to change its strategy now. It needs to focus on economic development and stop its citizens from being exploited by armies of other nations and focus on ending the labor export too. India needs to realize that despite Nepalis helping Indian Army protect its borders, it has done injustice by imposing an economic blockade on Nepal twice. So there’s no other way for Nepal than to develop economically and not allow India or its other neighbors to dictate on the basis of a neoliberal economy.

India still suffers from its colonial rulers, in its treatment towards smaller neighbors. Of late India has imitated American exceptionalism, making itself believe that the South Asia region is its own backyard and is unique among all. This attitude has isolated them.

Indian exceptionalism has pushed Nepal away, to its displeasure and dismay, towards the place where Nepal wants to be pro-Nepal. The people, culture, language and religious ties still exist between Nepal and India, but if India continues with its high-handedness, then its exceptionalism will have to bear the last blame. Nepali citizens already blame India and its politicians for making a mess of the nation.

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Kathmandu Tribune Staff

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