In Nepal, 78 per cent citizens participated in the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections of November 2013. When Nepal was hit by a devastating natural disaster this year that left more than 9,000 dead, India pledged $1 billion in aid and its army assisted in relief efforts. While the Big 3 have made some proforma attempts to reach out to the Madhesis, the future trajectory of Nepal’s domestic politics and worldwide relations – caught between India and China – depends on whether or not they soften the “majoritarian” impulse in the Constitution and how they react to the demands of the plains. Adhikari discussed the situation at border checkpoints between the two nations and sought India’s cooperation in ensuring uninterrupted movement of vehicles carrying essential commodities to Nepal, the statement said.
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“India being a matured and largest democracy should not have displayed immature and irresponsible behavior towards Nepal after the promulgation of the constitution”, Madhav said. Finally, on 20 September 2015 Nepal has formally adopted a new constitution, the first to be drawn up by democratically elected representatives after centuries of autocratic rule. The pro-monarchy Rashtriya Prajatantra Party and various other Hindutva outfits organised protests throughout the country demanding that Nepal be declared a Hindu State.
Nepal exclusively depends on Indian Oil Corporation for the supply of petroleum products. The BJP shares this anger, though it can not display it openly.
According to The Himalayan Times, Nepal’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Federal Affairs and Local Development Prakash Man Singh will head the delegation to the UNGA and the Summit for the Adoption of the Post-2015 Development Agenda, being held in New York on September 25-27. New Delhi, on its part, blamed the unrest in the neighbouring country. He added: “On a day when Nepal was celebrating, India did not join in with us. I will be happy when Nepal is a Hindu state again”.
Fears of a fuel shortage has seen dozens of commuters line up at gas stations in Kathmandu while the ongoing protests have sparked concern in India, which has traditionally exerted significant political influence in Nepal.
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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. The truth is that Nepal is very important to India because of its location along its sensitive northern border. If it had postponed its reaction, the problems would have become more.
