The federal restructuring of Nepal into seven provinces has left the Madhesis divided among five provinces, with only one of them having a majority of plains-origin people.
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Christian efforts to ensure that Nepal’s new constitution would confirm the state’s secular nature have been successful after the country’s constituent assembly rejected proposals to introduce an article identifying Nepal as a “Hindu religious country” into the constitution. Due to law & order situation (also from Jihadis who some time operate from Nepal as happened in 26/ 11 too) India will be constrained to convert open border with Nepal into common global border with military of India & Nepal on respective sides. In the promulgation, 92 per cent of all members endorsed the Constitution, while 85 per cent voted for the document, well over the required two-thirds majority.
As things stand, however, new strains have developed in the relationship which need to be ironed out lest the Chinese take advantage of this to drive a deeper wedge between Nepal and India.
Nepal’s foreign minister on Friday summoned New Delhi’s envoy to Kathmandu seeking an explanation over the disruption of food and essential commodities at the border, witnessing further stress in their relation.
He said that the new Constitution has included the issues of federalism, inclusiveness, social justice and these issues were of the Madhesi people as well. India can, and has leaned on Nepal to try to find a solution. The remaining 507 members voted in favour of the Big 3 draft, and the Constitution was adopted. The new constitution merely reinforces this. Meanwhile, in an interaction with Rae, Nepal’s foreign minister Khaga Raj Adhikari sought clarification over India’s displeasure with the country’s new constitution, a government statement said.
BBC Nepali reporters in Kathmandu say long queues are forming at petrol stations as residents stockpile fuel in anticipation of shortages.
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Traditionally, India has exerted influence in Nepal, a land buffer between India and China. On September 23, for example, The Indian Express published a story that said the Indian government had “conveyed” 7 points that it wants to be amended in Nepal’s constitution. That Mr Doval is now in the frame shows that the government gets it. The question is, though, what can he do about it without pushing Nepal into being our new Sri Lanka? The Indian Ambassador has unhampered access to the highest offices in Nepal and is seen as perhaps the most important political mover and shaker.
