SOURCE: ET
India, upset over Nepal’s decision to bring in constitutional amendment to redraw its political map, may now seek to have a tough approach towards politicians of the Himalayan state and rather build stronger ties with civil society and Nepali citizens. Delhi is particularly upset with how PM K P Sharma Oli, once a close confidant of India, is using the issue to consolidate his position in Nepali politics and create his legacy, according to experts on Indo-Nepal affairs.
Delhi is further peeved with the growing trend within Nepal’s polity to shift blame to India for Kathmandu’s own failure to address internal matters.The decision to change the political map was a result of the current government’s failure to control domestic issues and divert attention by encouraging nationalism against “big brother” India, according to Nepal watchers. The Oli government is also under fire for its handling of Covid-19 situation. Delhi may start focusing on widening ties with the Nepalese civil society and nationals rather than politicians who have hardened their positions.
Nepal has reportedly sought foreign secretary level talks with India via video conferencing. But simultaneously, Kathmandu went ahead to pass the Constitutional Amendment Bill to change the map on Tuesday. Delhi feels that such an approach, where Nepal plans to force India to talk after making a decision, is a futile exercise and will not yield results, according to Nepal watchers.
While there is no such move at present, any decision by Nepal to approach UN to present its new map will just be customary exercise as UN has its own yardstick on maps of various countries, an expert on UN affairs told ET.Ties between the two have been lukewarm after Delhi inaugurated a road linking Kailash Mansarovar via Lipulekh on May 8. Nepal issued an updated map on May 20. The controversial updated map includes Indian areas of Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura in its territory. Speaking on the bill in Parliament on Tuesday, Defence Minister Ishwor Pokhrel said Nepal is confident of regaining the territory from India through diplomatic dialogue.
The amendment bill, which requires a two-thirds majority in both the Houses of Parliament, is certain to pass as all the opposition parties have backed the ruling party.
Though Nepali Congress, Janata Samajbadi Party, Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party and Rastriya Janamorcha have registered separate amendments in the statute, they unanimously stood for the government’s bill. The deliberation on the bill continued for around four hours; 84 lawmakers from cross parties took part in the discussion.
https://defencenewsofindia.com/india-to-act-tough-with-nepals-leaders-connect-with-people/
